Topic 2: The Planets

2.1 The origin of the planets

Nature of science:

  • Scientific ideas: Many theories have been developed to try to explain where the Earth came from but those which are based more on scientific understanding have a greater credibility.

Understandings:

  • Theories of the origin of the planets including reference to inferior and superior planets

  • Solar nebula model

  • Condensation and coagulation

  • Significance of the Sun’s T-Tauri phase for the composition of the planets

  • Origin of the asteroids based on the gravitational influence of Jupiter

  • Oort Cloud

  • Origin of the Moon

  • Planetary differentiation

  • Forms of heating within a planet

  • Creation of the Earth’s magnetic field

  • Terrestrial planets (ignoring Mercury) and gas giants

  • Details of magnetic field configuration – type and possible origin

Applications and skills:

  • Identifying the main phases of planetary formation

  • Explaining the different models for the origin of the planets

  • Describing homogeneous and heterogeneous accretion and their dependence on the planet’s growth rate compared with the nebulas cooling rate

2.2 Life on Earth

Nature of science:

  • Public understanding: There is a great deal of conflicting information on climate change available and the public doesn’t always understand the science involved and scientists had a key role in ensuring this information is shared in a way which can be easily accessible.

Understandings:

  • Original atmosphere of terrestrial planets

  • Development of atmospheres of Venus, Earth and Mars

  • Solar radiation and planetary weather

  • Greenhouse effect and CFCs

  • Upper and lower temperatures for life

  • Effect of asteroids and asteroid impact on the production of life on Earth

  • Evidence of impactors

Applications and skills:

  • Knowing that the T-Tauri phase removed the original planet’s atmosphere

  • Understanding how the effects of global warming could compromise life on Earth

  • Analysing data related to the greenhouse effect

2.3 The search for extra-terrestrial life

Nature of science:

  • Economic: Is there a justification for spending vast amounts of money on looking for extra-terrestrial life when funds could be used instead to develop projects that are likely to have a more immediate, positive, impact on life on Earth?

Understandings:

  • Fermi paradox

  • The search for extra-terrestrial life

  • The Drake equation for the probability of life

Applications and skills:

  • Calculations involving the Drake equation

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