ASTR 380 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Metamorphic Rock, Atomic Nucleus, Solar Wind
27 Oct 2018
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Geology = the study of earth or any solid surface; processes and features that shape worlds. 4. 2 reconstructing the history of earth and life. Analysis of rocks: mineralogical identify minerals, chemical identify molecular and elemental composition, isotopic identify different ratios, can be used to date (radioactive isotopes after decay) such as carbon-14. Radioactive decay parent nucleus decays into daughter nuclei. Alpha decay: large atomic nucleus ejects helium nucleus, changing the atomic mass # (but same element, occurs until all daughters not radioactive. 2: nucleus emits or absorbs an electron, causing a proton to turn into a neutron or vice versa, changing the atomic # (different element) Relevant probability = likelihood of a single nucleus decaying in a specific amount of time. 4. 3 the hadean earth and the dawn of life. Moon formed from collision between proto-earth and mars sized body: similar makeup of earth"s crust but without heavier elements (impact before differentiation) 3: those with more craters = older.
