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1 The Earth in Context
2 The Way the Earth Works: Plate Tectonics
3 Patterns in Nature: Minerals
4 Up From the Inferno: Magma and Igneous Rocks
5 A Surface Veneer: Sediments and Sedimentary Rocks
6 Change in the Solid State: Metamorphic Rocks
7 The Wrath of Vulcan: Volcanic Eruptions
8 A Violent Pulse: Earthquakes
9 Crags, Cracks, and Crumples: Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building
10 Deep Time: How Old is Old?
11 A Biography of Earth
12 Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources
13 Unsafe Ground: Landslides and Other Mass Movements
14 Streams and Floods: The Geology of Running Water
15 Restless Realm: Oceans and Coasts
16 A Hidden Reserve: Groundwater
17 Dry Regions: The Geology of Deserts
18 Amazing Ice: Glaciers and Ice Ages
19 Global Change in the Earth System


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(1.1) Doppler Effect

The everyday phenomenon examined here is an essential principle underlying the Hubble's Expanding Universe theory; one could say its application shed light on fundamental questions about changes to the size of the Universe over time.

Created by: Declan DePaor

(1.2) Red Shift

This animation demonstrates the Doppler effect as applied to light by simulating the effect of a star's velocity upon the starlight as viewed from Earth. Use the horizontal scrollbar to change the star's velocity. Notice the red shift as the star recedes from you, and the blue shift as it moves toward you. The greater the star's speed, the greater the spectral shift.

Created by: Declan DePaor

(1.3) Solar System Formation

This animation shows the collapse of a rotating dust cloud to form a solar system with a central star and orbiting planets. The angular velocity vector is yellow. Escape of light elements to the outer regions occurs immediately after the collapse phase.

Created by: Declan DePaor


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Norton Gradebook

Instructors now have an easy way to collect students’ online quizzes with the Norton Gradebook without flooding their inboxes with e-mails.

Students can track their online quiz scores by setting up their own Student Gradebook.