Geology Final Exam
Describe in basic terms how elements were/are formed during the big bang (including the reasons why only H/He formed abundantly), during normal stellar operation (including why some elements such as Si and Fe were formed more abundantly), and during supernova processes/explosion
Big bang only thing that forms out of the big bang is the nuetrons. Protons plus electrons = hydrogen. Hydrogen fuses the helium. There are no stable atoms with 5 or 8 nucleons (hydrogen would have 5, helium would have 8), therefore fusion stops at helium.
Normal steller processes
Elements form by fusion of lighter elements and heavier elements into heavier elements. They release energy. Elements with mulitples of 4 nucleons are most abundant because they combine helium.
Fusion stops at iron
Supernova processes
R, S, P processes form elements denser than iron
What are the basic types of radioactive decay? Why does each occur (relative to the band of stability) and what happens during each process?
Alpha
Atom spits out two protons and two neutrons from its nucleus
Beta
Neutron turns into a proton plus and electron
Gamma
Nucleus changes from higher energy state to a lower energy state through the emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Electron capture, beta decay, alpha decay
What are volatile and refractory elements and how does this relate to elemental abundances on earth?
Volatile
Elements that become liquid or gas at low temperatures
Refractory
Those stable as solids to very high temperatures
When solar system formed, temperatures were hotter near the center and cooler as we moved away from the sun. Close to the sun only refractory elements condense at hotter areas. Volatile elements condensed in outer solar system where its cooler
Define mineral
Naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure
Know at least three methods of identifying minerals and a couple of examples for each method (e.g.
Big bang only thing that forms out of the big bang is the nuetrons. Protons plus electrons = hydrogen. Hydrogen fuses the helium. There are no stable atoms with 5 or 8 nucleons (hydrogen would have 5, helium would have 8), therefore fusion stops at helium.
Normal steller processes
Elements form by fusion of lighter elements and heavier elements into heavier elements. They release energy. Elements with mulitples of 4 nucleons are most abundant because they combine helium.
Fusion stops at iron
Supernova processes
R, S, P processes form elements denser than iron
What are the basic types of radioactive decay? Why does each occur (relative to the band of stability) and what happens during each process?
Alpha
Atom spits out two protons and two neutrons from its nucleus
Beta
Neutron turns into a proton plus and electron
Gamma
Nucleus changes from higher energy state to a lower energy state through the emission of electromagnetic radiation.
Electron capture, beta decay, alpha decay
What are volatile and refractory elements and how does this relate to elemental abundances on earth?
Volatile
Elements that become liquid or gas at low temperatures
Refractory
Those stable as solids to very high temperatures
When solar system formed, temperatures were hotter near the center and cooler as we moved away from the sun. Close to the sun only refractory elements condense at hotter areas. Volatile elements condensed in outer solar system where its cooler
Define mineral
Naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystal structure
Know at least three methods of identifying minerals and a couple of examples for each method (e.g.