2.1. The Origin of Earth and the Solar System – Learning Outcomes

After reading this chapter of the textbook, learning the vocabulary, and working through the review questions, students should be able to:

• Describe the theory of the big bang.
• Describe in general terms how matter accretes to form stars and planets.
• Describe the formation of the solar system.
• Describe the difference between terrestrial and Jovian planets and the reasons why they differ.
• List the major events that took place in the first 2 billion years of Earth history.