The composition of the universe incorporates over 100 elements that have been formed due to various nuclear reactions since the Big Bang (The Distribution of Elements 37). The distribution of elements serves as the reflection of these processes as well as the expression of the “relative nuclear stability of different nuclides” (The Distribution of Elements 37). It is necessary to note that the distribution of elements of Earth differs from that in the universe to a great extent.
Due to this fact, an explanation of the Earth’s formation can be offered, as well as the ways of organisms’ origin (The Distribution of Elements 37). In particular, the Earth is considered to be composed of the following components: biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, crust, mantle, and core. Compared to the nonorganic elements, the biosphere is rather small.
The number of living organisms that have been estimated for many centuries of research is possibly underestimated since it has been recently recognized that the deep ocean harbors a large proportion of organisms. What is more, these organisms’ ecology is likely to differ from the ones living in shallow water and on land (The Distribution of Elements 37). From the thermodynamic point of view, whether the organism is unicellular or multicellular, it is an open system. Thus, it has to exchange material and energy with its surroundings (The Distribution of Elements 37). It is considered that all organisms absorb, utilize, and, as a result, incorporate the elements that exist in their surroundings.
The density of the core is much higher than the average density of the whole planet. This part of the Earth is nearly 2,900 kilometers below the planet’s surface (The Earth’s Layers from Least to Most Dense 2). The Earth’s center is divided into two layers: outer and inner. The outer core is nearly 2300 kilometers thick. The inner core is 5150 kilometers below the surface of the Earth, and its center is 1300 kilometers further (The Earth’s Layers from Least to Most Dense 2).
The density of the inner core is estimated to be 16 g/cm3 (Garrison and Ellis 68). The density of the outer core is between 10 g/cm3 and 12,3 g/cm3 (The Earth’s Layers from Least to Most Dense 2). The density was calculated based on gravimetric experiments.
The magnetic field of the Earth is created by the dynamo reaction. The effect operates in the way close to a dynamo light on a bicycle. The process is as follows: when magnets in the dynamo spin, they create an electric current. Further, this electricity is used to turn on the light. The process can work in reverse, as well (Varma R. Vejayan). Whenever there is a rotating electric current, it can be used to form a magnetic field. On Earth, electric currents are generated by the flow of liquid metal in the planet’s outer core. The rotation of Earth on its axis is the reason why the electric currents can form a magnetic field extending around the planet (Varma R. Vejayan).
The magnetic field plays a crucial role in maintaining life on Earth. Without this field, people would be subject to considerable radiation from the Sun, and the atmosphere could leak into space. The role of the core in the creation of the magnetic field is significant because the latter originates in the former.
Works Cited
The Distribution of Elements. N.d. Web.
The Earth’s Layers from Least to Most Dense. N.d. Web.
Varma R. Vejayan, Vishnu. “What Creates Earth’s Magnetic Field?” Cosmos: The Science of Everything. 2017. Web.