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The Formation and Evolution of the Universe!

A review of:. The Formation and Evolution of the Universe!. The BIG BANG. ~14 Billion years ago Dense, hot, tiny, massive point in space Exploded Universe expanded to its current state, and is still expanding due to the force of that explosion.

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The Formation and Evolution of the Universe!

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  1. A review of: The Formation and Evolution of the Universe!

  2. The BIG BANG • ~14 Billion years ago • Dense, hot, tiny, massive point in space • Exploded • Universe expanded to its current state, and is still expanding due to the force of that explosion. • It is also still cooling from this hot, violent eruption.

  3. Matter • First few seconds all matter was created • Atoms could not form at first since it was TOO hot. • Particles were all moving too fast • Cooling led to the formation of atoms / molecules within 300,000 years after the Big Bang • Only formed Hydrogen, small amounts of Helium. • All Hydrogen of the universe was formed at that time.

  4. 1st Generation of Stars • 1 Billion years later… • Formed in areas where there were large amounts of interstellar matter • Dust and Gas • Temperature needs to be high enough for FUSION to occur. • Side Note: Fusion • E=mc2 • 4H→1He + ENERGY • Continues to form heavier elements

  5. 1st Generation Continued • Large stars can produce heavier elements • Eventually the stars EXPLODE (more on this later) in a supernova • All of the elements created were RELEASED into space • Responsible for the formation of all elements in the periodic table • Our sun has traces of heavy elements in it, thus it must be AT LEAST a 2nd generation

  6. The Milky Way Galaxy • Formed ~ 10 billion years ago • Spiral galaxy • Cluster of stars, matter, and other celestial objects that are gravitationally bound and rotate around the center of a massive black hole.

  7. The Solar System • Nebular Theory • Rotating disk of dust and gas • Hottest at the center (what formed here??) • Formed on one of the spiral arms of the galaxy IMPORTANT! (more on this later)

  8. The Solar System continued….

  9. The Solar System continued…. • ~5 billion years ago • Eight planets formed • Inner (Rocky) planets • Outer (Jovian / Gaseous) planets

  10. The Sun • Formed 4.6 billion years ago • Middle of solar system • Densest collection of matter • Hottest temperatures • Collection of gas / dust that contracted until fusion began (more on this later) • T-tauri phase 4.5 billion years ago (IMPORTANT!)

  11. T-tauri Phase • “shedding” phase • Particles swept out by solar wind to furthest parts of the solar system • Which would travel further – lighter particles, or heavier particles? • Take a look at the periodic table – which particles would be lighter? • The T-tauri phase determined the composition of the 8 planets • http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Hs-2000-32-a-animated_gif.gif

  12. The Inner Planets • Reached current size 4.4 billion years ago • Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars • Similar compositions, structures • All have a core, mantle, and crust region (the structure of the Earth will be covered in more detail in a later unit) • High density • Rocky, metallic, heavier elements • Smaller • Formed from planetary accretion, planetesimals

  13. The Outer Planets • Reached current size 4.4 billion years ago • Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune • Gaseous Giants / Jovian Planets • Similar composition / structure • Possibly rocky / solid cores? • Lighter, gaseous elements • Largely composed of H & He, especially their atmospheres (which also accounts for most mass in the solar system) – would that be expected? • Properties of the planets / solar system will be discussed in the next unit

  14. Earth’s Moon • Earth’s moon formed 50,o00 years after Earth • COLLISION THEORY for formation • Evidence: • Identical compositions • More details on the moon next unit!

  15. Earth’s Core • Earth’s core formed 4.35 billion years ago • Kinetic energy from accretion → heat energy • Radioactive decay →heat energy • An aside on radioactive decay (discussed further later)…… • What is it? • Earth’s internal heat energy source! • Leads to a lot of volcanism (which in itself is important because it renews the land / soil / nutrients) • Atmosphere becomes rich in CO2 and H2O

  16. Earth Melts! – Core continued • Earth becomes molten! • Heavier elements: sink (Iron and Nickel) • Created a magnetic field around Earth that protected us from the Sun’s harmful rays, and other high energy particles from space, which protects life. • Aurora belts / Northern Lights • Lighter elements: float to the top (Nitrogen, Carbon) • These elements are ESSENTIAL for life, so this process was CRUCIAL in the development of life on Earth!!

  17. Evolution of Earth’s Atmosphere • Early Atmosphere (4.4-4.0 bya) • Light elements (H, He, methane), H2O and others • Lightest elements escaped to space • Secondary Atmosphere (4.0-3.3 bya) • Dominated by gases released in volcanic eruptions (CO2, H2O, N2) • Condensation (due to cooler temperatures)leads to most H2O precipitating out to form oceans • Primary Atmosphere (3.3 bya - present) • Evolution of life / plants leads to photosynthesis • Atmosphere becomes rich in O2, less CO2 (some fluctuations through the years)

  18. Let it Rain – Earth’s Oceans • Believed to have formed from: • Continued rain (so much water vapor in the atmosphere from all of the volcanic activity lead to a lot of condensation!) • Impacts of icy meteors / comets, whose water melted. • Not entirely sure, however. • Oceans harbored and fostered life. The first advanced life forms developed in the ocean. Eventually, life made the leap from ocean to land, but we can thank the oceans for allowing us safe haven while the land was going through such a chaotic time!

  19. Land on Earth • All molten at first • Due to frequent volcanic eruptions, land was constantly being renewed; surface was constantly changing • Rapid changing environment and climate led to mass extinction and the birth of many new species in short periods of time • Oldest rock known on Earth formed 3.8 bya • Stable continents first formed 2.5 bya • NOT Pangaea (200 mya) -Gondwana & Laurasia; formation of Appalachian Mountains

  20. Life on Earth • Bacteria developed 3.9 – 3.5 billion years ago (not sure how) • Development of plant life is CRUCIAL – why? • Photosynthesis! • Turns CO2 into O2! • Developed oxygen rich atmosphere (~20%) 3 billion years ago • Allows life to exist on Earth!! • Extinction of dinosaurs from impact 65 mya • Mammals survive, and leads to our evolution and domination! Otherwise, the reptiles might still be in charge!! • 1st humans appear 200,000 years ago

  21. Earth’s Eons • Hadean (Earth forms - 3.8 bya) • Atmosphere evolves, oceans begin to form • Archean (3.8-2.5 bya) • Life develops, O2 rich atmosphere develops • Oldest known solid rock develops • Proterzoic (2.5 bya - 542 mya) • Stable continents appear • Phanerozoic (542 mya - present) • Multicellular life evolves, life moves onto land from the sea • Precambrian - 1st 3 eons, before multicellular life

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