Sid+Huntoon

Assignment 3: Solar System Formation and Leftovers

Directions: The current estimated age of the known universe is approximately 13.73 billion years old. The current estimated age of our solar system is approximately 4.5 billion years old. Your job is to use your notes and the Internet to EXPLAIN how our solar system and the planets formed and to describe the remnants that were left over from those formations. **Include a definition or link to these 16 terms**: __nebula__, __terrestrial planet, gas giant__, planetesimal, planet, satellite (moon), __[|asteroid]__, __asteroid belt__, __meteor__, meteoroid, __meteorite__, __comet__, nucleus, coma__, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud__. The EXPLANATION should be sequential (follows the correct series of steps in the actual formation of the solar system). You may work in groups of no more than 2 people to complete this assignment and you will be given at least 2 class periods. When done, make sure to copy the complete summary to the second partner's wiki page so I may grant credit. **NOTE: This can be written in paragraph format or as a series of sequential steps, but either way your notes are a good guide to follow since they are in correct chronological order already.** Also, I would recommend using a table(s) for good organization of terms, images, etc. (SEE TABLE BELOW)


 * Your grade for this will be comprised of:**
 * define or describe 16 terms = 16 points**
 * content is well organized (table(s) are a good idea) = 4 points**
 * quality / completeness of overall explanation = 10 points**
 * 5 good supporting images = 10**
 * Total = 40 points (Approximately half of a test)**


 * Nebula- Interstellar cloud of gas and dust ||  || [[image:http://ncse.com/files/images/607px-Eagle_nebula_pillars.jpg width="250" height="247" caption="external image 607px-Eagle_nebula_pillars.jpg"]] ||
 * external image 607px-Eagle_nebula_pillars.jpg ||  || The formation of a star, planets, etc. (a solar system) is thought to begin when gravity begins to pull together material from a nebula. ||

Five billion years ago a cloud of hot swirling dust and hydrogen gas gave birth to our Sun and planets. As the cloud spun and collapsed inwards it flattened into a central mass with a surrounding disk. Dust and gases in the disk formed small condensations each spinning about its own centre. Gravitation condensed and heated the central mass. Density increased dramatically and [nuclear] fusion began. Energy was released and our Sun flared into existence. The solar wind of the newly ignited Sun blew away leftover dust and gas in the vicinity of the inner condensations, leaving the rocky inner planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. In the outer regions of the disk, the solar wind was weaker. The remaining dust and gas condensed into the larger gaseous planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

A relatively simple explanation exists for the extreme differences between the four giant planets and the four inner planets. As nuclear-fusion reactions began in the sun's deep interior 4.5 billion years ago, the solar nebula close to the sun grew much warmer than the dust and gas at greater distances. This warming had a profound effect on the kinds of material that could condense and accumulate into "planetesimals," the small objects that can collide to form planets. At distances close to the sun - less than about five times the Earth-sun distance (5 astronomical units, or A.U.) - the sun's heat prevented ice from forming. This fact had significant consequences, since ice is potentially the most abundant solid in the universe.

Photo_1.jpg

Directions: Work with a partner to explain one example of an **interaction between 2** of the [|earth systems] we discussed in class. (Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere). The systems are described in your notes for unit 1. Your job is to **type one paragraph** explaining ** how they interact ** and to ** include at least 1 supporting image **. Don't forget to make sure that the completed assignment is copied onto both of your wikis for grading purposes along with the title: **ASSIGNMENT 1: Earth Systems Interactions**.
 * ASSIGNMENT 1: Earth Systems Interactions**


 * example: Lithosphere and Hydrosphere**
 * [|Weathering]** is the breaking down of Earth's [|rocks], [|soils] and [|minerals] through direct contact with the planet's [|atmosphere] which contains water vapor (a part of Earth's hydrosphere). Through this process Earth's lithosphere is worn away slowly over time and sediments are laid down in new areas. These sediments will eventually form new rocks of Earth's crust. **Magma cooling:** Sometimes lava (magma that is pushed above Earth's surface comes into contact with ocean water (a part of the hydrosphere). This cool water rapidly cools the lava; turning it into the newest crustal rocks. (basalt in many cases). [[image:http://www.hawaii-lisa.com/uploaded_images/Lava-flows-downt-the-pali-to-the-ocean-USGS-773056.jpg caption="http://www.hawaii-lisa.com/uploaded_images/Lava-flows-downt-the-pali-to-the-ocean-USGS-773056.jpg"]]

Lithosphere and Atmosphere interaction

Water in the atmosphere causes chemical reactions that break down rocks; rainwater dissolves rocks to form caves and to move rock and soil to other places and providing a source of windblown dust and sand or by adding particles and gases that have erupted from volcanoes