Composition of Earth's atmosphere
78% N2, 21% O2, 0.9% argon, 0.0035% CO2, 0.1-3% H2O
Hydrosphere
all the waters on the earth's surface, such as lakes and seas, and sometimes including water over the earth's surface, such as clouds.
atomosphere
the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
Ionosphere
the lower part of the thermosphere, where electrically charged particles called ions are found
Mesosphere
The layer of Earth's atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere
Stratosphere
The second-lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere.
ozone layer
Protective layer in atmosphere that shields earth from UV radiation.
Troposphere
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere
Convection
Process by which, in a fluid being heated, the warmer part of the mass will rise and the cooler portions will sink.
greenhouse effect
Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases
Evolution of Earth's Atmosphere
-early atmosphere from volcanic activity (CO2, N2, CH4, NH3) -NO FREE O2!!!!! -secondary Earth cooled, torrential rains filled oceans, washed out CO2, teritary: Life happens producing O2, ozone forms, life on surface
S waves
A type of seismic wave that moves the ground up and down or side to side (transverse) can travel through solids
P waves (primary)
Type of body waves that are the fastest seismic waves, are longitudinal compression waves travel through solids and liquids
Differentiation
Heavy material sinks to the center of the planet and lighter material rises to the surface which implies that the planet MUSTVE been partially molten
plate tectonics
The theory that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
Lithosphere
the solid, outer layer of the earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle
Asthenosphere
The soft layer of the mantle on which the tectonic plates move
dynamo theory
the generation of a magnetic field by circulating electric charges
Magnetosphere
the area surrounding Earth that is influenced by Earth's magnetic field
The Van Allen belts are
regions of high-energy charged particles trapped within Earth's magnetosphere
What creates a magnetic field?
moving electric charges
How many tides are there in a day?
two high tides and two low tides
tidal bulge
The moons pulls on the water on the side of the Earth closest to it more strongly than on the side opposite it. This pull creates a bulge of water
What do tides do to earths rotation
they slow earths rotation due to friction
Mantle
the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
Which is the inferior planet
mercury
Which planet has the greatest elongation
mercury
Both the moon and mercury don't have what
a natural satellite or atmosphere
The moon has both
light and dark areas
What are the dark areas on the moon called?
Maria(rich in iron) dark smooth, look like water
What are the light areas on the moon called
highlands: higher in elevation, mountainous rich in aluminum
solar system evolution
cloud of dust, rock, gas, with slight rotation, Gravity contracts the cloud, conservation and momentum causes rotation to speed up. Contraction continues: the sun form, Planets form due to condensation and gravity
Rotation rate of the moon
1 orbit= 1 rotation
How long is a solar day on mercury
2 siderals days because the eliptical orbit means rotation would speed up and slow down
Lunar Craters
Due to the explosive impact of interplanetary projectiles, known as meteors when in space and meteorites upon hitting the surface of a moon or planet.
Why do lunar craters last a long time
no atmosphere so theres no erosion, and no protection from metorites
What is the moon's surface like?
covered in dust and has craters
Volcansim formed what
maria
rilles
narrow channel on the moon's surface carved out by lava
How is mercurys surface different than the moon
not as cratered, closer to the sun, no maria, very few riles, has scarps
Scarps
Huge cliffs thought to have formed as the planet cooled and contracted
Moons core vs mercurys core
small iron core interaction with earths magnetic field, vs large iron core with a weak magnetic field
Formation of moons
formed at the same time as a planet, (conformation), capture:wanders to close to the planet, fission: material is flung off while the planet was still molten, impact:mars sized object hit earth
Where is venus when it appears the brightest
when it passes between the earth and the sun
How many days is 1 rotation on venus
243 days
Why does venus have retrograde motion
impact
Do we have the same side of venus always facing us?
Yes
The atmosphere of venus is very
thick, so only radio waves get through the clouds
Surface of venus
8% mountains, 27% lowlands, 65% rolling plains, volcanoes, lava flow, craters
which planet has no tectonic plates
venus
runaway greenhouse effect on venus
a process in which the heating of a planet leads to an increase in its atmosphere's ability to retain heat and thus to further heating, causing extreme changes in the temperature of the surface and the composition of the atmosphere
Venus's atmosphere has much more carbon dioxide than Earth's because
it lacks oceans and is very thick
Which planet doesn't have a magnetic field
Venus because it's rotation is too slow
Which planet has 2 moons
Mars
The polar caps on Mars are composed of
both frozen carbon dioxide and water ice.
Seasonal Caps Mars
composed of carbon dioxide which grows and shrinks as the season changes
residual caps on mars
permanently frozen water
Features of the surface of mars
volcanoes, canyons, dunes, mountains
southern hemisphere of mars
higher elevation, heavily cratered lots of mountains
Northern Hemisphere of mars
lower elevation, smoother volcanic plains
Hellas Basin
What is the deepest point on Mars?
Valles Marineris is a
large canyon on Mars.
Olympus Mons
largest volcano in solar system on Mars
The atmosphere of Mars is composed mostly of
carbon dioxide
lowest layer of mars atmosphere
thermosphere
Reverse Runaway Greenhouse Effect
Mars is cold so co2 is absorbed into the rocks and oceans
why is there no dynamo on mars
it has no liquid
Does Mars have a magnetic field?
mars does not have a magnetic field
Mars' moons are
Phobos and Deimos and captured asteroids