ES Midterms

• The universe is a cosmic system comprised of stars, planets, black holes, asteroids, comets, and meteors
• Geology is the study of the Earth, while cosmology is the study of how the universe began
• Earth is the only habitable planet due to its distance from the Sun, protection from harmful solar radiation by its magnetic field, insulating atmosphere, and the presence of water and carbon
• The universe is made up of 4.6% Baryonic Matter, 24% cold dark matter, and 71.4% dark energy
• The three most abundant elements in the universe are Hydrogen, Helium, and Lithium
• Stars are the building blocks of galaxies, made up of luminous spheroids, and considered nebulas once collapsed
• Protostars are the core of future stars where thermonuclear reactions occur, leading to the formation of heavy elements
• Stellar interiors are like furnaces where elements like Helium are synthesized or fused together to form nuclei
• The Sun belongs to the group of stars called "main sequence stars" and fuses Hydrogen to make Helium atoms
• The Big Bang Theory states that the universe developed 13.7 billion years ago from a singularity, leading to the rise of the four fundamental forces
• The occurrence of red shift observed by Edward Hubble indicates that galaxies are moving farther away from each other as the universe expands
• The Goldilock's Zone is the habitable zone providing the right amount of heat for Earth to maintain liquid water and support life
• Earth is the third planet from the sun, located in the habitable zone, and has unique characteristics compared to other planets
• The Earth's characteristics that allow the existence of life include temperature and the presence of water in its three phases: solid, liquid, and gas
• Water is essential for life as it dissolves and transports chemicals, and its existence in different phases supports Earth's diverse ecosystem
• Temperature influences chemical reactions, with low temperatures slowing down reactions and high temperatures speeding them up
• Water exists in three phases: solid (ice), liquid (H2O), and gas (water vapor)
• Water is a universal solvent
• Water is vital for the survival of organisms
• The atmosphere traps heat (greenhouse effect) and shields the Earth's surface from harmful radiation
• The atmosphere provides chemicals needed for life such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide
• The atmosphere regulates the balance of water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide
• The atmosphere is composed of five parts from closest to farthest: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
• The gaseous part of the Earth consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases
• Energy from the sun is used by organisms for life processes such as photosynthesis
• In photosynthesis, plants absorb heat with the use of their leaves (chlorophyll)
• Photosynthesis produces glucose (C6H12O6), H2O, and CO2
• Nutrients are used to build and maintain an organism's body
• The magnetic field is required for a planet to be protected from solar flares and harmful radiation
• The magnetic field protects the Earth from solar flares and UV rays
• The magnetic field is classified into two: northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere
• Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, have a definite chemical composition, and an ordered internal structure
• Common rock-forming minerals are Plagioclase Feldspar and Felsdpar
• Silicates are minerals with silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons, examples include Quartz and Olivine
• Oxides are metal cations bonded to oxygen anions, examples include Magnetite and Hematite
• Sulfides are metal cations bonded to sulfides, an example is Galena (PbS - Lead Sulfide)
• Sulfates are metal cations bonded to sulfates, an example is Gypsum
• Halides are composed of halogen ions such as chlorine and fluorine, examples include Halite and Fluorite
• Carbonates contain carbonic ions, an example is Dolomite
• Native metals consist of native metals such as copper and gold