novelxo Chapter 12: The Final Class of the Semester
Galactic: “Before I begin today’s lecture, can anyone tell me what elements make up life?”
One Student: “The same elements of the sun and planets.”
Galactic: “That’s correct. What are they?”
Another Student: “Carbon.”
Galactic: “That’s correct but there are more.”
Same Student: “Iron, nickel, phosphorous, nitrogen.”
Galactic: “Nitrogen and phosphorous are correct. Does anyone know the complete answer?”
No one answers.
Galactic: “Here’s another question you should know the answer to: what’s the most abundant element in the universe?”
Another Student: “Oxygen.”
Galactic: “No. Hydrogen is the correct answer. The elements that make up life are:
59% hydrogen
24% oxygen
11% carbon
4% nitrogen
2% phosphorous, sulfur and others
Make sure you memorize these.”
“Listen up everyone. Next week will be the final so pay attention. The question I had asked a few weeks ago was; what’s the hottest planet in our solar system? No one knew the answer. It’s Venus.”
“Venus is named for the Goddess of Love and Beauty. It’s the brightest object in the sky except for the Sun and the Moon. It’s the second planet from the sun. Mercury is the first. It’s hotter than Mercury despite being nearly twice as far from the sun. There are some similarities to Earth:
It’s 95% of Earth’s diameter and 80% of Earth’s mass.
They both have craters.
Their densities and chemical compositions are similar.
But it may be the least habitable place for life in our solar system because it’s composed mostly of carbon dioxide, which raises the temperature to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The clouds are composed of sulfuric acid. There’s much more to learn about Venus, but when we study the Solar System in depth we’ll discuss Venus further.”
Student: “Sounds like they’ll never be life of any kind on that planet.”
Galactic: “Some form of life could survive if they’re capable of adapting to the conditions but that seems very unlikely. Are there any questions?”
Student: “I still don’t understand the Big Bang Theory (giggles can be heard coming from the back of the room).”
Galactic: “I admit the name’s funny. It’s also misleading. The Big Bang wasn’t an explosion. It was an inflation. That reminds me please look at the paragraphs you wrote on the Eternal Inflation Theory. Who wants to comment on it?”
Another Student: “It states that the inflationary phase of the universe lasts forever.”
Galactic: “Also correct. What exactly does that mean?”
Another Student: “That means once inflation begins it continues. It doesn’t deflate and doesn’t end in the Big Crunch or the Big Freeze.”
Galactic: “Great. Now you understand those theories. Please leave your papers on the desk as you leave class.
I want to discuss the final. It will count as one-third of your grade and will include all my lectures from this semester. Most of the test will be true or false questions You’ll also be required to write a brief essay on various topics.”