EARTH’S FORMATION

UNIVERSE

The Universe Organization: Organization: Universe Universe Galaxies Galaxies Stars Stars Solar Systems Solar Systems Planets Planets Moons Moons Asteroids Asteroids Meteoroids Meteoroids

The Universe Formation: Big Bang Formation: Big Bang Initial Mass: Several Billion tons/tablespoon Initial Mass: Several Billion tons/tablespoon Age: billion light years Age: billion light years Size: 200 billion galaxies Size: 200 billion galaxies Contains 50 Billion Trillion Stars Contains 50 Billion Trillion Stars Content: Content: Dark Energy Dark Energy Dark Matter Dark Matter Bright Matter Bright Matter

The Big Bang Events Events Begin as a “Singularity” – single condensed form of matter. Begin as a “Singularity” – single condensed form of matter. Expansion of the singularity – “Inflation” Expansion of the singularity – “Inflation” Matter and antimatter formed Matter and antimatter formed Collision of matter and antimatter creating pure energy Collision of matter and antimatter creating pure energy As energy cooled, protons and neutrons began to form, resulting in the formation of Hydrogen. As energy cooled, protons and neutrons began to form, resulting in the formation of Hydrogen. Other elements formed over time. Other elements formed over time. A nebulae of gas formed A nebulae of gas formed The nebulae condensed due to gravity to form solid particles which culminated in the formation of stars, planets, etc. The nebulae condensed due to gravity to form solid particles which culminated in the formation of stars, planets, etc. Evidence Evidence Cosmic radiation – Microwaves discovered in 1964 Cosmic radiation – Microwaves discovered in 1964 Red Shift – Shift of light spectrum emitted by a star to longer wave lengths which are produced when an object moves away from you – i.e., siren as it passes you. Red Shift – Shift of light spectrum emitted by a star to longer wave lengths which are produced when an object moves away from you – i.e., siren as it passes you.

Inventory of Stuff Making up the Universe Dark Energy72.1% Dark Energy72.1% Dark Matter23.3% Dark Matter23.3% Ordinary Dark Matter 4.35% Ordinary Dark Matter 4.35% Ordinary Bright Matter 0.27% Ordinary Bright Matter 0.27% Planets % Planets % Reference: Ross, H., 2008.

Dark Matter/Energy 5/27/11: A 22-year-old Australian university student has solved a problem which has puzzled astrophysicists for decades, discovering part of the so- called "missing mass" of the universe during her summer break. 5/27/11: A 22-year-old Australian university student has solved a problem which has puzzled astrophysicists for decades, discovering part of the so- called "missing mass" of the universe during her summer break

PLANET FORMATION

Nebula Theory – Formation of the planets and stars from a swirling cloud of gas. Planetesimals (small bodies) joined together through collisions and through the force of gravity to form larger bodies called protoplanets. Protoplanets ’ gravity attracted other planetesimals, collided, and added their masses to the protoplanets. Eventually, they became very large and condensed to form planets and moons. The composition of a planet’s atmosphere is based on 2 things: 1. 1.Size of the planet 2. 2.Distance of the planet from a neighboring star. Formation of the Planets

NEBULA THEORY Formation of the Planets The diagram below shows the formation of the Solar System..

Our Solar System

Formation of Inner Planets The four protoplanets closest to the sun became Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. The four protoplanets closest to the sun became Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. The features of a newly formed planet depended on the distance between the protoplanet and developing sun. The features of a newly formed planet depended on the distance between the protoplanet and developing sun. The inner planets are smaller, rockier, and denser than the outer planets. They contain large percentages of heavy elements, such as iron and nickel. The inner planets are smaller, rockier, and denser than the outer planets. They contain large percentages of heavy elements, such as iron and nickel. Lighter elements may have been blow or boiled away by radiation from the sun, and because at the temperature of the gases, gravity was not strong enough to hold their gases. Lighter elements may have been blow or boiled away by radiation from the sun, and because at the temperature of the gases, gravity was not strong enough to hold their gases.

Formation of the Outer Planets Formation of the Outer Planets The next four protoplanets became Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The next four protoplanets became Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These outer planets formed far from the sun and therefore were cold. They did not lose their lighter elements, such as helium and hydrogen, or their ices, such as water ice, methane ice, and ammonia ice. These outer planets formed far from the sun and therefore were cold. They did not lose their lighter elements, such as helium and hydrogen, or their ices, such as water ice, methane ice, and ammonia ice. The intense heat and pressure in the planet's interiors melted the ice to form layers of liquids and gases. The intense heat and pressure in the planet's interiors melted the ice to form layers of liquids and gases.

EARTH FORMATION

Earth Formation Earth’s Age: 4.5 Billion Years Old Earth’s Age: 4.5 Billion Years Old Four Stages of Formation Four Stages of Formation Stage One: Hadean – 4.0 to 4.5 BY Stage One: Hadean – 4.0 to 4.5 BY formation of Earth’s crust and main bombardment formation of Earth’s crust and main bombardment Stage Two: Archean – 2.5 to 4.0 BY Stage Two: Archean – 2.5 to 4.0 BY Formation of Earth’s Land, Water, Atmosphere Formation of Earth’s Land, Water, Atmosphere Stage Three: Proterozoic – 0.54 to 2.5 BY Stage Three: Proterozoic – 0.54 to 2.5 BY Primitive Life, introduction of Photosynthesis – Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere Primitive Life, introduction of Photosynthesis – Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere Stage Four: Phanerazoic – Present to 0.54 BY Stage Four: Phanerazoic – Present to 0.54 BY Modern Life Modern Life

Hadean

Earth Formation “ Hadean Period ” When Earth first formed, it was very hot. During its early history, Earth cooled to form three distinct layers. When Earth first formed, it was very hot. During its early history, Earth cooled to form three distinct layers. In a process called DIFFERENTIATION, denser materials sank to the center, and less dense materials were forced to the outer layers. In a process called DIFFERENTIATION, denser materials sank to the center, and less dense materials were forced to the outer layers. The center is a dense core composed mostly of iron and nickel. The center is a dense core composed mostly of iron and nickel. Around the core is a very thick layer of iron- and magnesium-rich rock called the mantle. Around the core is a very thick layer of iron- and magnesium-rich rock called the mantle. The outermost layer of Earth is a thin crust of less dense, silica-rich rock. The outermost layer of Earth is a thin crust of less dense, silica-rich rock.

Differentiation of Earth

Earth’s Early Atmosphere The atmosphere formed because of differentiation. The atmosphere formed because of differentiation. Earth’s gravity is too weak to hold high concentrations of hydrogen and helium gases and is blown away by solar winds. Earth’s gravity is too weak to hold high concentrations of hydrogen and helium gases and is blown away by solar winds.Outgassing Outgassing formed a new atmosphere as volcanic eruptions released large amounts of gases, mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia. Outgassing formed a new atmosphere as volcanic eruptions released large amounts of gases, mainly water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia. The ozone formed from remaining oxygen molecules after solar radiation caused ammonia and some water vapor to break down. The ozone formed from remaining oxygen molecules after solar radiation caused ammonia and some water vapor to break down. Formation of Earth ’ s Atmosphere

Formation of Earth ’ s Oceans The first ocean was probably made of fresh water. The first ocean was probably made of fresh water. Over millions of years, rainwater fell to Earth and dissolved some of the rocks on land, carrying those dissolved solids into the oceans. Over millions of years, rainwater fell to Earth and dissolved some of the rocks on land, carrying those dissolved solids into the oceans. As the water cycled back into the atmosphere through evaporation, some of these chemicals combined to form salts. Through this process, the oceans have become increasingly salty. As the water cycled back into the atmosphere through evaporation, some of these chemicals combined to form salts. Through this process, the oceans have become increasingly salty.

Outgassing From Volcanic Eruptions

Formation of Earth ’ s Atmosphere Earth’s Present Atmosphere The ozone collected in a high atmospheric layer around Earth and shielded Earth’s surface from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. The ozone collected in a high atmospheric layer around Earth and shielded Earth’s surface from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. Organisms, such as cyanobacteria and early green plants, could survive in Earth’s early atmosphere by using carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Organisms, such as cyanobacteria and early green plants, could survive in Earth’s early atmosphere by using carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. These organisms produced oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis and helped slowly increase the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. These organisms produced oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis and helped slowly increase the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Formation of Earth's Present Atmosphere

EARTH FACTS

The Ocean ’ s Effects on the Atmosphere The ocean affects global temperature by dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The ocean affects global temperature by dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since Earth ’ s early atmosphere contained less carbon dioxide than today, Earth ’ s early climate was probably cooler than the global climate is today. Since Earth ’ s early atmosphere contained less carbon dioxide than today, Earth ’ s early climate was probably cooler than the global climate is today.

Earth Water on Earth Earth ’ s unique atmosphere and distance from the sun allow water to exist in a liquid state. Earth ’ s unique atmosphere and distance from the sun allow water to exist in a liquid state. Other planets are too close or far away from the sun, Other planets are too close or far away from the sun, Life on Earth Earth is the only known planet that has the proper combination of water, temperature, and oxygen to support life. Earth is the only known planet that has the proper combination of water, temperature, and oxygen to support life.

Atmosphere Thickness: 40 km Thickness: 40 km Troposphere Troposphere Bottom layer Bottom layer Thickness - 11 km Thickness - 11 km Weather Weather Stratosphere Stratosphere Thickness - 36 km Thickness - 36 km Ozone Layer Ozone Layer Other layers Other layers Mesophere (Thickness - 34 km) Mesophere (Thickness - 34 km) Thermosphere (Thickness – 14 km) Thermosphere (Thickness – 14 km)

Atmosphere Composition Nitrogen – 78.08% Nitrogen – 78.08% Oxygen % Oxygen % Argon % Argon % CO % CO % Helium % Helium % Methane % Methane % N 2 O % N 2 O % CO % CO % Ozone % Ozone %

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