earth sci earth formation

characteristics of molecular clouds

very vast clouds that cover light-years in size. Made of the debris from hundreds of dead stars. Includes heavier elements like iron and silicon. New stars and planets are born from molecular clouds.

The sun formed from a

 molecular cloud that contracted into itself

After about 3 million years of planets pulling in more and more material, how many planets were there

20

how many planets were left after the violent collisions?

~4 (Venus, mercury, mars, earth)

There was a storm of charged particles when Earth began to cool. The energy of the charged particles produced heat. What happened to the Elements on Earth?

the lightest elements rose to the surface, and the heaviest elements sank down into the center, forming a core.

What layer of the Earth is responsible for Earth's magnetic field? 

the core

What formed Earth's moon?

Earth collided with another planet, an outer clump formed a disk, and then the released sediment later accumulated and formed the moon.

How many times closer was the moon to Earth upon creation? 

15 times closer

What could have titled the Earth on its axis?

collisions with other planets

what does the tilt of the earth do

gives us seasons

what causes tides to change

the moon

Why was there little to no water on Earth early on?

the inner solar system was too hot

Why don’t we see craters on Earth like we do on the moon?

The geological activity on the earth has erased evidence of things hitting it.

Why is the comet theory a bad theory for how Earth got water?

the water in the comets isn’t the same as the water in the oceans.

Where do scientists think the water on Earth could have come from if not from a comet?

meteorites

What planet caused the asteroids to leave the asteroid belt and bombard Earth bringing water?

Jupiter

What are zircons?

Common mineral that's hard to destroy. 

What did zircons tell us about the ancient earth?

Crystals inside of zircons could have only formed if there was water on earth. Suggests that earths water arrived in less than 150 million years.

What was the original atmosphere made of?

it was thicker and made of Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, and Methane.