Module 2.1 Study Deck

Question 1

Nebular Theory (definition)

Answer 1

Sun and planets = formed from same cloud of gas and dust in space
-Solar System = now called Solar Nebula
-Process = Nuclear Fusion
-Steps:
1.) Cloud (dust/gases)
2.) Flattened, rotating disk (gravitational energy ——- thermal energy)
3.) Center of nebula = Sun (metal, rock, and ice = condensed)
4.) Planet formation ( over tens of millions of years)

Question 2

Supernova (definition)

Answer 2

exploding star

Question 3

Protosun (definition)

Answer 3

Pre-Sun

Question 4

Distance (Sun and Neptune)

Answer 4

30 AU

Question 5

Jet distance/time (Earth to Neptune)

Answer 5

510 years

Question 6

Big Bang (definition)

Answer 6

-13.7 billion years ago
-space, matter, and time = exploded (universe expanded)
-particles formed = hydrogen and helium gases

Question 7

Inner Planets

Answer 7

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
-smaller size, higher density

Question 8

Outer Planets

Answer 8

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
-large size, low density

Question 9

Ocean Basins (definition)

Answer 9

deep submarine region (beyond continental margins)
-volcanoes, deep canyons, plateaus, and flat plains

Question 10

Continents (definition)

Answer 10

large, continuous areas of land (continental shelf and islands)
-connected to mainland

Question 11

Ocean Basin and Continent differences

Answer 11

-Ocean basins:
1.) below sea level
2.)lower average elevation
3.)composition = basaltic rocks
4.)more dense
5.)less buoyant

-Continents:
1.)above sea level
2.)higher average elevation
3.)composition = granitic rocks
4.)less dense
5.)more buoyant

Question 12

Regions (ocean floor)

Answer 12

1.) Continental margin (adjacent to continents)
2.) Deep-ocean basins (between continent margin and oceanic ridge system; 30% of Earth’s surface)
3.) Oceanic ridges (broad, linear ridge/rise of ocean floor)

Question 13

Layers of continental margin

Answer 13

1.) Continental shelf (shoreline to slope)
2.) Continental slope (deep-ocean floor)
3.) Continental rise (base of slope)

Question 14

Layers of deep-ocean basins

Answer 14

1.) Abyssal plain (flat feature)
2.) Deep-water trenches (bending of oceanic crust during subduction)
3.) Seamounts (isolated volcanic peak)

Question 15

Major features of the Continents

Answer 15

1.) Mountain belts (old = 100,000,000 years old; young = < 100,000,000 years old)
2.) Stable platforms (shields covered by sedimentary rock)
3.) Shields (relatively undeformed sedimentary rocks)

Question 16

2 Different Mountain Belts

Answer 16

1.) circum-Pacific belt (surrounding Pacific Ocean; has volcanic island areas)
2.) Eastward (Alps to Iran/Himalayas to Indonesia)

Question 17

Cratons (definition)

Answer 17

interiors of continents (parts = shield and stable platform); flat expanse of ancient metamorphic rock