EAS100 Chapter Notes -Kuiper Belt, Asteroid Belt, Electromagnetic Radiation

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Course: EAS100
• Professor: Solweig Balzer

Document Summary

The present is the key to the past. Aka todays processes give us insight into what occurred in the ancient times. But, big changes in processes show us that uniformitarianism is faulty: evolution of atmosphere, meteorite impacts. Ancient features of the earth are to be interpreted in terms of physical and chemical processes that operate at the present day. Well established theories for which no exceptions are known. Eg) law of conservation of energy (law of thermodynamics) Solid wastes: garbage, construction, industrial products. Gases into atmosphere: co2 & industrial products. A portion of the universe that can be separated from the rest for the purpose of observing changes. Can be : open, isolated, or closed. No matter or energy lost or gained. Matter and energy are exchanged with the surroundings. Several major open systems: atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere. Cycles trace the flow of material or energy through system. 3 major cycles: energy cycle, hydrologic cycle, rock cycle.