Evolution of the Earth and planets is learned applying simple models on the basis of fundamental physics and mathematics.
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.
Earth, Planets, Modeling
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
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 | |
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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. |
Refer to the textbook of physics and mathematics you studied.
Materials necessary for the class will be given.
Score is determined with several reports on the subject related to the lecture.
Physics and mathematics in the first grade should be understood.