Physical Geology 101

2. Origin of the Solar System

(p. 7-20)

The Scientific Method

One of the basic questions you may have asked yourself about geology is: How do we know all these
things about the Earth? Well, most of our knowledge and ideas are based on the various analyses that
scientists have undertaken. The basic approach to doing science consists of the following sequence of
tasks:
(1) Collection of scientific data through observations and measurements.
(2) Attempt to explain the data through the development of a _________________.
(3) Continued observations and experiments to test the robustness of the models.
(4) Accept, modify, or reject the hypothesis. If it becomes generally accepted due to overwhelming
evidence, then we call it a _______________, which must always be scientifically testable.
Example of a generally accepted theory in geology: ____________________________

Earth Systems
The Earth is part of a larger system, called the solar system, but the Earth itself is made up of a number
of interdependent systems.
The four main Earth systems are the _________________, _________________, _________________,
and _________________.
We will talk about the lithosphere a little later. List the characteristics of the other three below:
Atmosphere:

Hydrosphere:

Biosphere:

Physical Geology 101

Each system interacts with the others. For example, the constant motion of water from the surface to the
atmosphere and back is called the _________________________. The Earth always maintains a balance
between the 4 systems, however.

The Solar System and Origin of the Earth

Solar system constituents: _____ planets (~150 moons), asteroids, comets, meteoroids.
The planets and moons are held in regular orbits by the forces of gravitational attraction.

Terrestrial planets:

1.__________________

2.__________________

3.__________________

4.__________________

Main characteristics: _____________________________

Jovian planets:

5.__________________

6.__________________

7.__________________

8.__________________

Main characteristics: _____________________________

New solar system category in 2006: dwarf planet: e.g. ______________

Development of the Solar System:

Big Bang: ________________ years ago.

Clouds of matter gathered into galaxies and solar systems.
He and heavier elements form from H in stars by _____________________.
We use the ________________________ to explain the development of the
solar system, which developed after a giant supernova explosion.
Blobs of material coalesced from this supernova, which formed heavy elements like uranium
that could not have formed in our relatively small sun, called a _____________________.
The giant blob of material that developed into our solar system is referred to as the
_____________________. Dust and gases contracted due to gravity and begun to spin faster,

Physical Geology 101

forming a flattened disk shape with 99% of the matter at the center (i.e., the developing Sun).
Accretion of matter within the disk caused planets to develop.
The size of the collapsing sun stabilized when thermal energy was balanced by gravitational
collapse. Formation of the Sun and planets was complete by ________________ years ago.

Internal Structure of the Earth

The terrestrial planets formed by a process called differentiation which means that molten material cooled
and eventually formed:
_________________________________________________________________.

What is density? ______________________________________________________

What is the unit of measurement of density? ________________

What is the density of water? ____________

What are the three principal layers that formed inside the differentiated Earth?
1. _______________ Description:
2. _______________ Description:
3. _______________ Description:
The mantle makes up about _________ of the volume of the Earth.
What are the two types of crust?
1. ___________________ Characteristics:

2. ___________________ Characteristics:

The oldest rocks on Earth are _____________ years old and were found in ____________________.

Physical Geology 101

We can also classify the layers in the Earth based on their physical properties (e.g., whether they are
liquid or solid; or how strong they are). The names of these layers, moving successively deeper into the
Earth, are:
1. __________________ Description: brittle solid; includes the ____________
and the ___________________; 67 mi thick.
2. __________________ Description: _________________; up to 410 mi deep.
3. __________________ Description: ________________; down to 1802 mi.
4. __________________ Description: ________________; down to 3212 mi.
5. __________________ Description: ______________________; center of Earth at a depth of
3968 miles.

The lithosphere is broken up into many fragments called ________________________.

FINAL QUESTION:
The process whereby all the plates move around is called:
_______________________________