Review the discussion of these features in your textbook
and then match the following physical and chemical divisions with
the correct label on the diagram.
For each item below, select the letter that labels the correct part of
the image.Planetary Characteristics
1. Locate views of the solar system and find an image of the Earth as seen from space, such as this one. Now find an image of the Moon, such as this one, and compare the two.
a. What is similar between the two?
b. What is different?
c. Which planetary body is larger?
d. What do you think accounts for the differences between them?
2. This diagram
shows the Earth's internal structure as expressed by both its physical and
chemical properties. Review the discussion of these features in your textbook
and then match the following physical and chemical divisions with
the correct label on the diagram.
For each item below, select the letter that labels the correct part of
the image.
1. Outer core
2. Lithosphere
3. Crust
4. Core
5. Mantle
One of the fundamental characteristics of any planet is its density—a measure of its mass per unit volume. The density of a planet gives us important clues to its composition and structure. We'll use the Earth as an example.
3. Calculate the volume (in cm3) of the Earth, assuming its radius is 6,378 km. To do this, you will have to assume that the Earth is spherical, which it is to a close approximation, and use the formula for the volume of a sphere V = (4/3) * Π * r3 where Π (pi) = 3.14159. You will also need to convert kilometers to centimeters (1 km =105 cm).
4. Calculate the bulk, or overall density (usually symbolized with the Greek letter rho (r) and given in g/cm3) of the Earth, given that its mass is very nearly 6 * 1027 grams. Remember, density is simply a measure of mass per unit volume, so r = m/v where the units of mass are in g and volume is in cm3
5. How does your result compare with the value given for the Earth's density at sites such as this one?
6. If you carefully measure the density of rocks at the surface of the Earth, you will find that they range from 2.2 to about 2.5 g/cm3. What does this observation and the results of your calculations imply about the nature of the Earth's interior?
Submit your answer sheet as either a Word or Excel document showing all calculations through the Assignments page on Blackboard by the due date announced in class.