Physics and Chemistry of the Terrestrial Planets

Calendar

LEC #	TOPICS	KEY DATES
1	Introduction and overview
2	Solar system formation
3	Origin of elements
4	Origin of elements (cont.)
5	Geochronology
6	Geochronology (cont.)
7	Age of the solar system
8	Mass and moment of inertia
9	Rheology and seismology
10	Elastic stress strain relations	Problem set 1 due
11	Seismic waves and wave equation
12	Structure of the planets from seismology
13	Heat and conduction	Problem set 2 due
14	Heat convection
15	The error function
16	Oceanic subsidence and heat flow	Problem set 3 due
17	Convective heat flow	Problem set 4 due
18	Cooling planets	Term paper topic due
19	Geomagnetism I
20	Geomagnetism II	Problem set 5 due
	Mid-term exam	Mid-term exam
21	Polar wander and continental drift
22	Plate tectonics	Problem set 6 due
23	Plate tectonics (cont.)
24	Plate tectonics (cont.)
25	Plate tectonics (cont.)	Term paper outline due, problem set 7 due
26	Isostasy
27	Gravity anomalies
28	Gravity anomalies (cont.)
29	Topography and gravity data
30	Planetary histories	Term paper draft due, problem set 8 due
31	Planets
	No class, special assignment
32	Mercury
33	Moon
34	Venus	Term paper due, problem set 9 due
35	Presentations
36	Presentations (cont.)
	Final exam: date to be announced