Nebulous Earth : the origin of the solar system and the core of the Earth from Laplace to Jeffreys / Stephen G. Brush.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Brush, Stephen G.

Series:

Brush, Stephen G. History of modern planetary physics ; v. 1.

A history of modern planetary physics ; v. 1

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Solar system--Origin.

Solar system.

Nebular hypothesis.

Earth (Planet)--Core.

Earth (Planet).

Copat, Renzo.

Physical Description:

xii, 312 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Summary:

Nebulous Earth follows the development of the 19th century's most popular explanation for the origin of the Solar System, Laplace's Nebular Hypothesis. This theory supposes that a flattened mass of gas extending beyond Neptune's orbit cooled and shrank, throwing off in the process successive rings that in time coalesced to form the several planets. Throughout the century, the hypothesis also played an integral role in suggesting the theory of evolution's respectability in biology. Scientists long suspected that the Earth's interior is the seat of powerful forces that shape the Earth's surface and can threaten our lives with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. From fiery fluid to rigid solid to electromagnetic dynamo, Professor Brush recounts their theories about what actually occurs in the Earth's interior.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-299) and indexes.

ISBN:

0521441714

OCLC:

32854824