Story: Earth started to form 4.6 billion years ago. The temperature of the Sun kept
light gasses from forming at Earths distance. Earths inner core is a dense solid
while the outer core is less dense liquid. Earths surface, air composition, and
organisms have changed many times throughout history.
Evidence: 4.6 bil yrs = radiometric dating of U-235 and C-14
Elemental composition of Earth = heavier elements and further out planets =
lighter elements and/or gasses
Inner core = solid b/c of incredible pressure & P&S waves and dense b/c in
center
Outer core = liquid b/c mantle and crust shift on it, P&S waves, and lava and
less dense b/c floats on inner core
Surface changes = rivers at bottom of canyons and other erosion, tree rings,
layers of rocks, coal proves there used to be plants in different places than there are
now, continents have moved b/c still moving today/fit together/fossils match, ice
core samples show volcanoes have changed air composition, fossil record shows: 1 st
life = 3 bil yrs ago, 1st fish = 470 mil yrs ago, 1st plants = 440 mil yrs ago, mass
extinctions = 248 and 65 mil yrs ago, 1st humans = 0.008 mil yrs ago
What are the biggest changes you foresee happening to Earth in the next 100
years? 1,000,000 years?