Solar System Dynamics: Planets, Sun, and Earth’s Processes
Solar System Dynamics and Components
Angular Momentum and Gravitational Forces
Angular momentum, force contraction, and rotation are fundamental concepts in celestial mechanics. The two primary forces at play are angular momentum and gravity.
Challenges in understanding these concepts include:
- The Sun’s immense mass compared to the planets.
- Considering the direction of rotation for celestial bodies.
The Sun: Our Star
The Sun, our star, possesses distinct layers:
- Photosphere: A visible layer characterized
Understanding Minerals and Rocks: Key Concepts and Definitions
Understanding Minerals and Rocks: Key Concepts and Definitions
1. What is the Definition of a Mineral?
– A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure.
2. How Does a Rock Differ from a Mineral?
– Rocks are aggregates of minerals or organic material, whereas minerals are individual, naturally occurring substances with specific chemical compositions.
3. What Are Common Crystal Shapes?
– Common crystal shapes include cubic, hexagonal,
Read MoreFundamental Kinematics Definitions
Key Concepts in Kinematics
- The variation of the position vector of a particle that it experiences in a time interval is called displacement.
- The displacement vector is independent of the trajectory that the particle follows in its motion.
- The distance traveled by a particle is greater than or equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector experienced by the particle when moving from one position to another.
- The distance traveled by a particle is equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector,
Earth’s Crust, Minerals, Rocks, and Elements
Earth’s Crust
The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth. Principal relief features include:
- Continental Shelf: Prolongation of the continent under the ocean.
- Abyssal Plain: Flat surface located about 6,000-12,000 meters deep, forming most of the ocean floor.
- Continental Slope: Slope between the continental shelf and the deep sea-bottom.
- Ocean Trenches: Deep depressions over 10,000 meters, associated with edges of continents and archipelagos.
- Seamounts: Underwater mountains.
- Oceanic Ridges: Large mountain
Key Climate and Ocean Terms Defined
Cell Connect
A closed set of backward and side wind movements.
Ocean Currents
Movements are continuous, and water bodies are the main mechanism of heat transport, more effective than the atmosphere.
Surface Currents
The main ocean currents that run through the central zones of the oceans largely follow the pattern of anticyclonic winds, moving west and then east along the trade winds, carrying clouds and rainfall. Upon reaching the west (East Coast), they return to their origin; this is called the West
Read MoreKey Definitions: Soil and Natural Resources
Farming (Sustainable Agriculture)
Agricultural production prioritizing soil and water conservation and minimizing negative environmental impacts. This is achieved by using organic fertilizers, avoiding chemical pesticides and aggressive plowing techniques, using genetically diverse and non-transgenic varieties, and rotating crops.
Desertification
While some authors use ‘desertification’ to describe the natural process of soil degradation and erosion leading to desert conditions, others apply the term
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