DangLabActivities11and12
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Madonna University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
4450
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by MagistrateSwan3877
Tony Dang
Lab assignment 11 and 12
October 29, 2023
Chapter 11
1.
Name the two major types of planets in our solar system
Terrestrial and Jovian
2.
Name the members of each of the two types of planets
Terrestrial planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars
Jovian Planets – Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
3.
List several differences between the two types of planets.
Terrestrial are small and rocky
Jovian are large with lots of hydrogen
4.
How do the orbital distances from the Sun compare for the two types of planets?
Terrestrial orbits are smaller
Jovian orbits are larger
5.
Explain why a molecular cloud flattens out as it collapses
It has natural tendencies of the molecules to flatten out as a result of the collisions of
particles in a spinning cloud.
6.
How does the temperature of the cloud vary with the distance from its center?
According to the inverse square law it varies. For example if a planet is located ½ the
distance to the sun as compared to the earth, it will get about 4 times the heat.
7.
Explain why the frost line is the boundary between the two types of planets.
The frost line also known as the snow line is where the solar radiation is very minimal.
Therefore temperatures are very low, the water based compounds, ammonium, methane
can all condense into ice grains.
8.
Why are no planets found within 0.3 AU of the Sun?
It would be too hot, all materials would burn up because of the intense heat from the sun.
9.
Explain why the planetesimals beyond the frost line were initially able to grow larger
than those inside the frost line.
Planetesimals beyond the frost line were able to grow larger because there was an
abundance of solid materials such as dust and ice, this provided a greater mass for
accretion compared to the predominatly rocky material within the frost line.
10. Which of the two planet types has evolved more from its initial condition?
Jovian planets have evolved more from their original condition.
11. Why were planets closer to the Sun not able to retain lighter gases (see Figure 11-3)?
Planets closer to the sun were not able to retain lighter gases due to the high temperature.
This resulted in thermal escape.
12. What do we now call the left-over planetesimals (those that did not become part of a
planet)?
They are called asteroids and comets.
13. What kinds of planets (if any) formed inside the rock/metal condensation line? Explain
the reason for the kind of planet that formed there, or, if there are no planets, the reason
they did not form.
Planets composed of primarily rocky or metallic in nature. Referred to as terrestrial or
rocky planets. Examples would be Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
14. What kinds of planets (if any) formed between the rock/metal condensation line and the
frost line? Explain the reason for the kind of planet that formed there, or, if there are no
planets, the reason they did not form.
Planets that formed in this region would have a combination of icy and rocky components.
The reason for their composition is because they have high amount of gas in their
atmospheres and contain substantial amounts of rocky and ice materials. Examples would
be Jupiter and Saturn.
15. What kinds of planets (if any) formed beyond the frost line? Explain the reason for the
kind of planet that formed there, or, if there are no planets, the reason they did not form.
Planets that formed along this region would consist of ice with rocky and metallic
components due to the low temperatures. Examples would be Uranus and Neptune.
16. Which major type of planet is most evolved (i.e., which type has gone through the most
changes)? Explain how this can be attributed to where these planets formed.
Most evolved type of planet is terrestrial planets. Earth is an example of these changes. It
has experienced tectonics, erosion, and development of complex atmosphere. This is
possible due to the proximity to the sun.
Chapter 12
1.
What are the four geologic processes that are responsible for shaping planetary surfaces
(see Figure 12-1)?
Plate tectonics, impact craters, erosion, and volcanism.
2.
What factor controls the size that an impact crater will have
Size and mass of the impacting body, velocity of the impact, and the surface area
characteristics.
3.
What major component of a planet are gases emitted from volcanoes responsible for
forming?
Water vapor, Sulphur dioxide, and carbon dioxide
4.
How has the rate of crater formation in the solar system changed over time? Why has it
changed?
Clearing of debris, planetary grown, changing orbits, and overall evolution of the solar
system.
5.
Why are there so many more impact craters on the Moon and Mercury than on Earth,
even though Earth is a bigger target? Why are the craters on the Moon and Mercury so
well preserved?
Moon and Mercury have no or little atmosphere. Moon does not have water and it does not
contain tectonic activity. The craters remain because there is little geological activity.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
6.
Which geologic processes are controlled by a planet’s internal temperature? What factor
affects how long these processes will continue on a planet (see Figure 12-2)?
Tectonic activity is controlled through the internal heat. This leads to movement and
formation of new ocean and land.
7.
Why, unlike most other planets, is erosion a dominant process on Earth?
Because earth experiences things like wind, water, and biological agents which are absent
on other planets.
8.
Which geologic process occurs at the same rate on all planets?
Impact cratering is common on all planets with the same rate.
9.
What factors control the geologic evolution of a planet?
Impact cratering, tectonic activity, and erosion.
10. Which factor seems to control the types of geologic activity that occur on a planet?
Internal heating controls geological activity.
11. Which property of a planet seems to control the amount of time that the geologic process
continues on a planet
The size of the planet is the key property that effects the duration and intensity of the
geological process.
12. What geologic process(es) would dominate on a small, cold planet?
Impact cratering is the dominant geological process on a small planet due to little gravity
and lack of an atmosphere.