Learning Resources
Readings
- Course Text: The Good Earth
- Chapter 2, “Earth in Space” (pp. 25–53)
What was it first like on Earth? How has it changed over time? In this chapter, you will learn more about the creation of the Earth, how planets formed, and the Solar System. - Review “The Characteristics of Good Science” in Chapter 1 (pp. 11–15)
Web Sites
- Planet Formation (How do planets form?)
http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/discovering_planets_beyond/how-do-planets-form - Attempts to explain the formation of stars and planets. Originally, ideas were only applied to our Solar System, but in recent times due to increases in technology they have also been applied to the Universe.
- Nebular Theory (Nebular Hypothesis)
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/astronomy-terms/nebular-hypothesis-info.htm
As you know from the Scientific Method, a theory is a testable model supported by empirical observation. Some people refer to the Nebular Hypothesis as the Nebular theory due to the amount of empirical data that has been collected. - The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System
http://www.nineplanets.org/
This site has information on all of the planets with hyperlinks to a glossary and additional information, including images.
Animations(The following web sites have information and animations that will help you understand some of this week’s general concepts. In turn, these will help you with the assignments for this week.)
- The Vast Distances Between Planets in the Solar System
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2701/es2701page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization - Earth’s Yearly Revolution Around the Sun
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0408/es0408page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization - Seasonal Changes in the Amount of Sunlight Reaching Locations on the Earth
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es1704/es1704page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization
Optional Resources
Web Sites
- YouTube
http://www.youtube.com
YouTube is a great resource to find additional information in video format about the origin of the Universe, the Solar System, Big Bang Theory, and the Nebular hypothesis/Nebular theory.
- You may want to use the following terms when you searh for videos: origin of the Universe, Big Bang theory, solar system, nebular hypothesis, and nebular theory.
- You can also search for additional video clips on the topics listed above by National Geographic, NOVA, and Cosmos with Carl Sagan
Assignment
Evolution of the Universe and Good Science
As you gaze upon the evening stars, do you ever think about the how these glimmering jewels were formed? Have you ever wondered about the creation of Solar System? The Nebular Hypothesis and the Big Bang Theory attempt to explain how our universe and Solar System came to be. In this Application, you will have the opportunity to explain the similarities and differences between the Nebular Hypothesis and the Big Bang Theory.
Questions about this assignment? Post them in the Contact the Instructor area. That way, everyone in the class will see, and benefit from, the Instructor’s response.
To prepare for this Application:
- Review the “Big Bang Theory” on pages 30–34 in the course text, The Good Earth.
- Review the Web sites Planet Formation (How do planets form?) http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/discovering_planets_beyond/how-do-planets-form and Nebular Theory (Nebular Hypothesis) http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/astronomy-terms/nebular-hypothesis-info.htm .
- Review the “Characteristics of Good Science” on pages 11–15 in the course text, The Good Earth.
- Consider the factors that make good science. Which explanation of the evolution of the Universe more closely adheres to these principles?
The assignment:
- Write a 2-page paper in which you:
- Compare the Big Bang theory to the Nebular Hypothesis. How are they similar and different?
- How are these theories consistent with the characteristics of good science from Week 1?
- If you were asked to choose one of the theories as being “better” or “more plausible” than the other one, based on the evidence existing, which theory would you choose, and why?
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Psychology: Evolution of the Universe and Good Science
(Course Instructor)
(University Affiliation)
(Student’s Name)
July 14th 2015.
The Origin of the Universe
The universe represents one of the most fascinating systems, which has attracted numerous attentions and studies. The way in which the universe was formed has been a subject of great debate and interest from the time of early astronomers and philosophers. In order to explain the origin of the universe, many explanations have been advanced, which includes The Big Bang and The Nebular Hypotheses (Hubblesite.org, n.d.). According to the Nebular hypothesis that was advanced in 1796, the solar system was formed because of condensation of hot mass of gas, which Laplace referred as Nebula. However, the Big Bang Theory asserts that the solar system was formed due to the supernova explosion of gases.
The Similarities and Difference between the Nebular and Big Bang Theories
The main similarities between the big bang and nebula theory stem from the fact that both theories cite that the solar system was formed from the concentration of gases. In addition, the two theories assert the importance of the gravitational forces in shaping the shapes and sizes of the planets. The two theories assert that due to gravitational and centrifugal forces, the planets attained their shapes.
However, the nebula and big bang theories have different degrees of acceptance due to their differences. The major difference between the big bang and the nebula theory is that the big bang theory asserts that the solar system was formed due to a huge explosion of huge singular hot mass of gases, which later condensed forming the universe. However, the nebular theory asserts it was from the rotating hot mass of gases that the solar system was formed (HowStuffWorks, n.d.). The difference with the big bang is that nebular theory points to the formation of the stars and the planets through accretion of hot gases, while the big bang theory discusses how the universe was created from a single source of gases with huge amount of energy. In conclusion, the Big bang theory explains the creation of the universe, while the nebular theory explains the creation of the solar system.
How the Theories are Consistent with the Characteristics of Good Science from Week 1 The characteristics of good science requires that any…………………….
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