Evidences of...
Formation of the Moon
Formation of Stars
1
The Earth's crust is made of a number of large pieces.
What is the name given to these pieces of the Earth's crust?
Tectonic plates
1
The collision theory for the formation of the Moon describes an object the same size as Mars. What was this object (not the name)?
A newly formed planet
1
What are nebulae made of?
Gas and dust
2
Tectonic plates move because of .................... in the mantle.
Convection currents
2
State one piece of evidence that supports the collision theory but contradicts the capture theory.
Similar rock composition
2
What are stellar nurseries?
An area where stars are born.
3
The coast of South America and the coast of Africa have a jigsaw appearance.
This is evidence for tectonic plates.
Write down two other pieces of evidence for tectonic plates.
- alignment of magnetic material
- fossil records
3
Analysis of rocks from the surface of the Moon has increased our understanding of the formation of the Moon.
Thousands of rocks were analysed.
Suggest why a large number of moon rocks were analysed.
Reliability - Testing many rocks makes sure the results are consistent and not just an anomaly.
Variety - Different parts of the Moon are made of different materials.
Accuracy - A larger "sample size" makes the data more accurate. It helps scientists be more certain about their conclusions, like how old the Moon is or what chemicals it contains
3
What gas is the most abundant in nebulae?
Hydrogen
4
The mid-Atlantic ridge is a long area under the Atlantic Ocean where the Earth's crust is being pushed up by convection from the mantle.
Use this information to suggest what is happening to the continents of North America and Europe.
Moving away from each other
4
Here are some sentences about the collision theory for the formation of the Moon. Arrange in order.
A - The less dense rocks eventually merged together to form the Moon.
B - This caused very high temperatures and the Earth's outer layer melted.
C - A collision occurred between the Earth and a small planet.
D - The less dense rocks were ejected and cooled.
E - The dense iron from the cores of both planets merged to create the Earth.
F - The less dense rocks were captured by the Earth's gravitational field.
C -> B -> E -> D -> F -> A
4
Put the statements about how stars are formed from nebulae in order.
A - large clouds of dust and gases collapse
B - gravity brings clouds of dust and gases together
C - gravity brings clouds of dust and gases together
D - collapsed material at the centre of the clouds of dust and gases heats up
E - the clouds of dust and gases increase in size because of gravity
C -> E -> A -> D -> B
5
Scientists found fossils of the Mesosaurus (a small reptile that lived only in freshwater) in both South America and Africa. These two continents are now separated by thousands of miles of saltwater ocean.
Explain why not all fossil records are good evidence of the tectonic plates.
Some like birds, whales travel further.
5
The Earth has a very large, heavy iron core, but moon rocks show that the Moon has a very tiny iron core and is made mostly of lighter rock similar to the Earth’s outer layers (the mantle).
Explain how the collision theory accounts for this difference, and suggest why the Moon didn't simply fly off into space after the collision.
Because the iron from the impacting planet sank into Earth’s core during the collision.
5
Give at least 2 conclusions you can deduce from the graph.
Average age
Fewer stars are being formed now