Grossmont Astronomy 110 Study Guide
Exam 2
How did the solar system form? - ANS-Nebular Theory - Our Solar System formed from
a giants, swirling cloud of gas and dust
What are the terrestrial and JSUN (Jovian) planets made of? - ANS-Rocks and metals
condense inside frost line, hydrogen compounds (ices) condense outside frost line
What is the order of the planets from closest to the Sun to farthest from the Sun? -
ANS-(MVEM/JSUN) Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
What are the 2 most common elements in our solar system? - ANS-98% Hydrogen and
Helium
What is the rest of the solar system made of? (Hint: solar nebula stew) - ANS-Metals,
Rocks, and Hydrogen compounds such as water ice, ammonia ice, and methane ice
What is accretion? - ANS-Small grains stick to one another via electromagnetic force
until they are massive enough to attract via gravity to form planetesimals (baby planets)
What is planetary differentiation? - ANS-Heavy materials sink, lighter materials float
What are the methods to detect extrasolar planets? - ANS-(ADT) Astrometric method,
Doppler method, and Transit method
Which type do we find the most (JSUN planets or terrestrial planets)? - ANS-Terrestrial
planets
What elements and compounds make Earth's 1st atmosphere? 2nd atmosphere? 3rd
atmosphere? - ANS-1st. Hydrogen and Helium, 2nd Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Water
vapor, and 3rd. 78% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen
Why did Earth's atmosphere evolve over time? - ANS-Through the evolution of life,
plants and microorganisms release O2 via photosynthesis
, How did the oxygen and nitrogen get into the atmosphere? - ANS-Oxygen was
produced through photosynthesis, and nitrogen was produced from the reduction of
CO2 by the ocean.
Which layer of the atmosphere contains ozone? - ANS-Stratosphere
How is ozone created? Why is ozone so important to humans? - ANS-O2 is converted
into ozone in the stratosphere, and it is important because it protects us from UV rays.
Why is the ozone hole bigger at the South Pole than the North Pole? - ANS-The South
Pole gets much colder, and because the land to water ratio is higher
What causes plate tectonics on Earth? - ANS-Convection in the mantle.
What processes shape continents over time? - ANS-Seafloor spread and subduction
What is seafloor spreading? - ANS-New basaltic crust emerges at mid-ocean ridges.
What is subduction? - ANS-Seafloor crust is pushed under continental crust at ocean
trenches
What geological features are created at subduction zones? - ANS-Volcanoes
What is the continental drift theory? - ANS-Parts of the Earth's crust drift atop a liquid
core
Who came up with the continental drift theory? - ANS-Alfred Wagner
What is the name of the supercontinent name in the theory and what does the name
mean? - ANS-Pangaea, means "All Land"
How much do the plates move per year? - ANS-2.5cm a year (same as fingernails)
What causes the plates to move? - ANS-Convection in the mantle and Sea Floor
Spreading
What materials make up the core, mantle, and crust of the Earth? - ANS-Iron and nickel
make up the core and mantle while basalt and granite make up most of the crust.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Hkane. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
