Michael Conte, Jr.
As video games have become popular and voluminous, so too, have scientists with the number of theories they have on the formation of our Solar System. Many theories they have overlap each other with common elements that date back to the 1700’s with Kant and Laplace.
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Two that might be used for discussion in class are the “close encounter” and “collision” theories
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which have many flaws but share in their failure to explain how moons were formed.
The popular theory today takes pieces from the theories of both of these men and calls it the “nebular theory”. This theory proposes that our Solar System evolved from a large cloud of gaseous molecules (scientists can observe similar occurrences in space today) that had varying size pockets of swirling areas in it. As the swirling action of the cloud began to move faster, especially in the area in the middle, compounds formed (ammonia and water) and dust particles accumulated in the larger middle swirl and formed the sun; while at the same time the smaller swirls were continuing to move about this “sun” collecting dust and debris. Scientists believe that at some point the sun experienced thermonuclear fusion at its center and began releasing light and energy. Why didn’t the planets also turn into “suns”? Simply stated, the planets did not have enough mass to trap hydrogen atoms to start this reaction. The planets were formed later as the swirling clouds of ice and water attracted dust and debris and stuck together.
What then became of this cold ball in space we have come to call the Earth? Well, many things—the core became hot and molten as radioactive elements began to act and molten rock often broke through the surface emitting gases that dispersed into space leaving methane and ammonia behind. As the radioactive elements melted the Earth’s center, gases were lost due to geologic activity; the Earth cooled and we were left with a planet that had four distinct layers: Crust, Mantle, Inner Core and Outer Core. (see diagram A)
In our journey through geologic history, we will eventually come to a discussion about the globe and inevitably a child will say, “these pieces look like they can fit together!!” In fact, most scientists believe that 200 million years ago the continents were combined into a large land mass called “Pangaea”. What then took place? Early scientific knowledge could not explain why marine fossils were found on mountain tops or why fossils of animals known to be only living in the tropics could turn up in Antarctica! The difficulty that scientists had could be traced to the very powerful influence and hold that religion had during this time period. Many geologists, along with astronomers, were continuing to try to fit the pieces of the puzzle together in terms of literal biblical translations and interpretations. Any theories contrary to the Bible were set aside and the scientist held in low esteem. Only recently, findings have allowed scientists to formulate, according to Dr. Maurice Ewing, “global-plate tectonics“
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a theory stated by F.B. Taylor and Alfred Wegener
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refined and updated that is now generally agreed upon, although some of the finer points still go unanswered.