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2016　Introduction to Earth and Planetary Physics

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Instructor(s)
Tsunakawa Hideo 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Tue3-4(I2-318)  Fri3-4(I2-318)  
Group
-
Course number
EPS.A204
Credits
2
Academic year
2016
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2016/4/27
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

Evolution of the Earth and planets is learned applying simple models on the basis of fundamental physics and mathematics.

Student learning outcomes

Various phenomena of the Earth and other planets are understood through the observational data. Considering their substantial processes, simple models are constructed and examined with the observational data.

Keywords

Earth, Planets, Modeling

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Observations of the Earth and planets are used to understand their characteristic features at present and in the past. The extracted feature is modeled using basic physics and mathematics. The model is examined with the observational data.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Thermal evolution of the early Earth Temperature of the early Earth is estimated from major processes of energy generation.
Class 2 Evolution of the Earth-Moon system: Ocean tide The ocean tide is determined from the balance between the centrifugal and gravitational forces in the Earth-Moon system.
Class 3 Evolution of the Earth-Moon system: Tidal potential Tidal potential is mathematically expressed.
Class 4 Magnetic fields of the Earth and planets Mangetic field observations of the Earth and planets are explained with fundamental dynamo theory.
Class 5 Phyiscal property of rocks Phyiscal property of rocks is explained with simple mechanical models.
Class 6 Fracture of rocks and fault formation Applying fundamental elastic theory, fracture of rocks and formation of faults are studied.
Class 7 Propagation of seismic waves: Fundamental theory Various siesmic waves and their propagation are studied.
Class 8 Propagation of seismic waves: Stratified structure of the Earth Propagation of seismic waves in a stratified sphere is studied.
Class 9 The Earth's interior from the seismology Materials of the Earth's interior are estimated from the seismological aspect.
Class 10 Plate tectonics: Overview History of the plate tectonics theory is studied.
Class 11 Plate tectonics: relative and abolute motions Determination of the plate motion is studied.
Class 12 Plate tectonics: Continental drift and orogeny Continental drift and orogeny are explained with the plate motion.
Class 13 Interaction among the core, mantle and plates: Heat transfer of the Earth Heat transfer of the Earth is explained with interaction among the core, mantle and plates.
Class 14 Structures of the Earth and planetary atmospheres Characteristic features of the atmosphere are compared among the Earth, Venus and Mars.
Class 15 Greenhouse effect of the Earth and planetary atmospheres Conventional model of the atmosphere gives understanding of the greenhouse effect.

Textbook(s)

Refer to the textbook of physics and mathematics you studied.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Materials necessary for the class will be given.

Assessment criteria and methods

Score is determined with several reports on the subject related to the lecture.

Related courses

  • EPS.A202 ： Introduction to Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • EPS.A201 ： Introduction to Material Sciences of Earth and Planet
  • EPS.A335 ： Solar-Terrestrial Physics
  • EPS.B201 ： Mathematics for Physics A (EPS course)
  • EPS.B210 ： Mathematics for Physics B (EPS course)
  • EPS.A336 ： Dynamics of the Earth and Planet

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Physics and mathematics in the first grade should be understood.

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