Science Methods II - Week 8

 

1.       What did you do in lab today?

a.       In lab we gave our presentations. We learned about the origins of the universe, galaxies, black holes, lifecycles of stars, origins of Earth, and exploration of space. We also discussed the Coriolis effect and how, because of the tilt of the earth, water will spin in a different direction depending on where you are on the equator. We learned about the Big Bang theory and how the universe was created from a single tiny particle expanding into everything. We discussed galaxies, and how they are giant spinning collections of trillions of stars that move all over the universe. We learned about how stars are created from space dust, and grow as they gather dust and particles until they supernova and explode creating black stars or black holes. We learned how Earth was created from space dust just like this.

2.        What was the big question?

a.       The big question for this week was, What is our real place in the universe?

3.       What did you learn in Thursday’s discussion?

a.       In Thursday’s discussion we began by talking about the origins of the universe. We talked about the big bang and how we will never really know how the particle that created the big bang started. We made sure to go over the fact that the earth was not created during/ directly by the big bang. We talked about when on the timeline that stars were created, and how stars use nuclear fusion to create new elements as they grow and eventually collapse. They grow by grabbing all sorts of dust and space debris and combining it into themselves to create new elements. We talked about how the earth was formed from gathering this space dust along with everything else. We talked about

4.       Read the online textbook, chapter 13

a.       What did you learn?

                                                               i.      I learned all about everything being made of stardust and how gas and dust created all the planets and other heavenly bodies. A lot of what was mentioned in the textbook had already been discussed in lecture, like how the moon was created and the planets. I did get to learn about the moon’s climate, though, and how it completely lacks an atmosphere.

                                                             ii.      What was most helpful was the textbook’s breakdown of everything else we learned so far. Having everything in one place where it is easy to understand really helps me keep my grasp over this unit.

                                                           iii.      I would like more information on why some planets have atmospheres and some do  not. What decides whether a planet will have an atmosphere or not, is it mass related? Also what decides why different planets have atmospheres with different combinations, what makes finding a planet with an atmosphere capable of sustaining life so rare?

5.       I am just repeating my question about atmospheres. What decides them? What makes finding a planet with a similar atmosphere to Earth’s so rare? Also, why are we the only green planet in our solar system? Why are no other planets cable of maintaining even a little life?