PPT: Geological Processes and Earth's Features | Geology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Geological 
Processes 
and Earth9s 
Features
Page 2


Geological 
Processes 
and Earth9s 
Features
The Solar System
The Universe
The universe, 15-20 billion years old, is vast and ancient, 
with Earth being a tiny speck orbiting a small star in the 
Milky Way, and filled with countless celestial bodies.
The Milky Way and Solar System
The Milky Way has about 100 billion stars, including our 
Solar System, which is a small part of it.
Components of the Solar System 
 Includes the Sun, 8 planets (Mercury to Neptune), their 
moons, asteroids, comets, dust, and gases.
Page 3


Geological 
Processes 
and Earth9s 
Features
The Solar System
The Universe
The universe, 15-20 billion years old, is vast and ancient, 
with Earth being a tiny speck orbiting a small star in the 
Milky Way, and filled with countless celestial bodies.
The Milky Way and Solar System
The Milky Way has about 100 billion stars, including our 
Solar System, which is a small part of it.
Components of the Solar System 
 Includes the Sun, 8 planets (Mercury to Neptune), their 
moons, asteroids, comets, dust, and gases.
Orderly Nature of the Solar System
Sun at Center
Controls planets with its gravity.
Planetary Orbits
Planets orbit the Sun counterclockwise in 
elliptical paths.
Types of Planets
Inner (rocky): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
Outer (gas giants): Jupiter to Neptune.
Size and Orbit
Outer planets are bigger and orbit farther; 
asteroid belt separates them from inner planets.
Page 4


Geological 
Processes 
and Earth9s 
Features
The Solar System
The Universe
The universe, 15-20 billion years old, is vast and ancient, 
with Earth being a tiny speck orbiting a small star in the 
Milky Way, and filled with countless celestial bodies.
The Milky Way and Solar System
The Milky Way has about 100 billion stars, including our 
Solar System, which is a small part of it.
Components of the Solar System 
 Includes the Sun, 8 planets (Mercury to Neptune), their 
moons, asteroids, comets, dust, and gases.
Orderly Nature of the Solar System
Sun at Center
Controls planets with its gravity.
Planetary Orbits
Planets orbit the Sun counterclockwise in 
elliptical paths.
Types of Planets
Inner (rocky): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
Outer (gas giants): Jupiter to Neptune.
Size and Orbit
Outer planets are bigger and orbit farther; 
asteroid belt separates them from inner planets.
The Sun
Characteristics
Radius ~1.39 million km, 
mass ~99.87% of Solar 
System, density 1.4 
g/cm³.
Temperature
Surface ~6000 K, core 
~15 million K.
Composition
70% hydrogen, 28% 
helium, 2% other 
elements.
Structure
Photosphere (visible surface), core 
(nuclear fusion), corona (outer 
atmosphere).
Energy
Generated via thermonuclear fusion 
(hydrogen to helium).
Page 5


Geological 
Processes 
and Earth9s 
Features
The Solar System
The Universe
The universe, 15-20 billion years old, is vast and ancient, 
with Earth being a tiny speck orbiting a small star in the 
Milky Way, and filled with countless celestial bodies.
The Milky Way and Solar System
The Milky Way has about 100 billion stars, including our 
Solar System, which is a small part of it.
Components of the Solar System 
 Includes the Sun, 8 planets (Mercury to Neptune), their 
moons, asteroids, comets, dust, and gases.
Orderly Nature of the Solar System
Sun at Center
Controls planets with its gravity.
Planetary Orbits
Planets orbit the Sun counterclockwise in 
elliptical paths.
Types of Planets
Inner (rocky): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars.
Outer (gas giants): Jupiter to Neptune.
Size and Orbit
Outer planets are bigger and orbit farther; 
asteroid belt separates them from inner planets.
The Sun
Characteristics
Radius ~1.39 million km, 
mass ~99.87% of Solar 
System, density 1.4 
g/cm³.
Temperature
Surface ~6000 K, core 
~15 million K.
Composition
70% hydrogen, 28% 
helium, 2% other 
elements.
Structure
Photosphere (visible surface), core 
(nuclear fusion), corona (outer 
atmosphere).
Energy
Generated via thermonuclear fusion 
(hydrogen to helium).
Planets of the Solar System
Inner Planets (Terrestrial)
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars; rocky, metal-rich, 
dense.
Outer Planets (Jovian)
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune; gas giants, 
mostly hydrogen/helium.
Mercury
Closest to Sun, 
hard to observe.
Venus
Volcanic surface, 
Earth-like size.
Jupiter
Largest, Great Red 
Spot. 
Saturn
Prominent rings, 
second-largest. 
Earth
Blue planet, 
supports life.
Mars
Red planet, ice 
caps, dust storms.
Uranus
Green hue, tilted 
axis.
Neptune
Distant, Triton 
moon with 
retrograde orbit.