Evolution of the Earth and Other Planetary Bodies

About this book

The Earth's evolution is a part of the evolution of the Solar System and of matter itself. Abundances of chemical elements can be explained only by going back to the formation of planets and earlier, to the nucleosynthesis processes. Comparisons with other planets, at different stages of development are necessary in the study of the formation and growth of the Earth's core. The same can be said of the global mobility of the outer layers of the Earth - the lithosphere. Consequently, the Earth's evolution can not be treated separately, but should be described within a broader framework. This fifth volume in the series presents ideas on evolution of the Universe, the Planetary System and the Earth. It explains the formation and early evolution of the Earth and Planets, presenting an introduction and providing background to problems of the Earth's evolution and plate tectonics - the problems to be presented in the last volume of the series. A synopsis of the achievements of cosmology is followed by a discussion of primordial nucleosynthesis, the formation of structures in the Universe, nucleosynthesis in star interiors and the formation of galaxies. Theories related to the formation of the Planetary System and reviews of the main parameters characterizing planetary bodies are also presented. A discussion on the origin of planetary bodies, based mainly on accretion theories provides evidence for the mantle-core structure of planets and their models. Chemical processes, the formation of minerals, heat processes and heat transfer, the formation of cores in the terrestrial group of planets and some elements of their magnetic fields complete the volume. This continuation of the monograph series will be of interest to scientists in the domain of the Earth sciences, especially geophysicists and geologists. The monograph combines results obtained in geophysics and planetology with a rigorous physical approach. Neverthless, it can be understood without a specialist background or higher mathematics.

Contents

Preface. 1. A Synopsis of Selected Topics in Cosmology. (B. Lang, R. Teisseyre). Introduction. A synopsis of observations related to cosmology. First cosmological models based on the general theory of relativity. Standard cosmological models. The Hubble law. Friedman-Lemaitre equations. The radiation-dominated epoch. The matter-dominated epoch. Planck units. The singularity. The flatness. Elementary particles and fundamental interactions. Symmetry properties and conservation laws. Evolution scenario. 2. Presolar Evolution (M. Panek, J. Ziolkowski). Nuclear processes and primordial nucleosynthesis. Star formation and evolution. Stellar nucleosynthesis. Galaxies: their formation and evolution. 3. Rise of Planetary Bodies (Z. Czechowski, J. Leliwa-Kopystynski, R. Teisseyre). On the probability of the formation of planetary systems. Condensation triggered by supernova explosion and tidal capture theory. Foundations of accretion theory. The structure and evolution of the protoplanetary disk. Coagulation of orbiting bodies. Collision phenomena related to planetology: accretion, fragmentation, cratering. Dynamics of planetesimals. Growth of the planetary embryo. Origin of the Moon and the satellites. 4. Planets and Satellites (J. Leliwa-Kopystynski). Introduction. Fundamental data. Spherical symmetric planetary bodies: formulae and estimations. Evidence for the mantle-core structure of planets. Two-zone models of planets: a general approach. Two-zone parametrical model with a core of constant density. Equations of state used for modeling of planetary interiors. Models of internal structure - a short review. 5. Mineralogy and Petrology of the Terrestrial Planets (N. Bakun-Czubarow). Chemistry and mineralogy of the primitive planetary material. Mineralogical thermobarometers. Nuclear chronology. Cosmochemical and mineralogical models of the planetary interiors. 6. Heat Sources in Evolution of the Earth and Terrestrial Planets (S. Maj). Models of thermal evolution. Heating in gravitational accumulation. Heating in gravitational self-compression. Heating from deceleration of the Earth's rotation. Heating from the Earth's core formation. Radiogenic heat production. 7. Cores of Terrestrial Planets (Z. Juszkiewicz, A. Losakiewicz). Core formation and core-mantle separation. Planetary magnetic fields. Generation mechanism of the magnetic field of the terrestrial planets. Nearly-geostrophic thermal convection in the planetary cores. Thermal convection in the rotating planetary cores in the presence of a weak magnetic field. References. Index.

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