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A set of Q&A flashcards covering key topics from the lecture notes: expanding universe, Big Bang vs Steady State, formation of elements, Nebular Theory, Solar System structure, Encounter Hypothesis, and Earth's differentiation.
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Who first observed that galaxies rotate and move apart in 1912, laying groundwork for the expanding universe?
Vesto Slipher
What key contribution did Edwin Hubble make in 1929?
Provided evidence for the expanding universe and red shift, building on Slipher’s findings.
What does Hubble's Law state?
The farther away a galaxy is, the faster it moves away from us.
What does the conclusion from Hubble's Law imply about the universe?
The universe is centerless and expanding uniformly.
What are the two major cosmological theories about the origin of the universe?
The Big Bang Theory and the Steady State Theory.
Who proposed the Big Bang Theory and when?
Georges Lemaitre, 1927.
Approximately how old is the universe according to the Big Bang model?
About 13.8 billion years.
What is the key claim of the Steady State Theory?
The universe has always existed and matter is continuously created.
Which light elements are associated with Big Bang Nucleosynthesis as noted in the timeline?
Light elements: Deuterium (D), Helium (He), and Lithium (Li).
What event marks the decoupling of relic radiation in cosmology?
Recombination, when atoms formed and the CMB decoupled.
Who proposed the Nebular Theory and in what era?
Immanuel Kant and Pierre-Simon Laplace in the 18th century.
What does the Nebular Theory propose about the Sun and planets?
They formed from the collapse of a gas/dust cloud into a rotating disk (accretion).
How is the Solar System arranged in terms of planet types?
Inner planets are rocky; outer planets are gas/ice giants.
What does the Encounter Hypothesis propose about the Solar System's formation?
It formed from a near-collision between a passing star and the Sun.
Name the four main layers of Earth's interior according to planetary differentiation.
Inner core (solid iron), Outer core (liquid iron), Mantle, Crust.
What are the approximate thickness/radius ranges for Earth's inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust as given?
Inner core: 5150–6370 km; Outer core: 2891–5150 km; Mantle: 40–2891 km; Crust: 5–40 km.
What are the three categories in the element formation legend shown on the element chart?
Primordial, Decay product, and Synthetic.
What does CMB stand for and what is its significance?
Cosmic Microwave Background; relic radiation from the early universe after recombination.
What marks the sequence of red shift and expansion that supports cosmological expansion?
Red shift indicates galaxies are moving away, supporting an expanding universe.
What elements are produced during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis?
Light elements: Deuterium (D), Helium (He), and Lithium (Li).