EXAM 1

1) Science uses observations of phenomena in order to make interpretations. Which of the following is an observation? a) A fold is visible in an outcrop. b) The fold was created by pressure. c) Pressure was applied slowly to fold the rock. d) Heat was applied to soften the rock.

A. A fold is visible in an outcrop.

1) Which of the following is the definition of a scientific theory? a) The gathering of data through observations b) A tentative explanation used to explain observed activities c) A well-tested and widely accepted view that explains observable facts d) A hypothesis

C. A well-tested and widely accepted view that explains observable facts

12- Define a hypothesis: a) A proposed explanation for a phenomena b) A well-substantiated explanation of events

a) A proposed explanation for a phenomena

1) Which of the following statements about a scientific theory is TRUE? a) A theory is a hypothesis supported by repeated testing. b) A theory is an unproven hypothesis. c) All scientists are required to accept a theory. d) Theories are not a part of the scientific method.

a) A theory is a hypothesis supported by repeated testing.

12- Define a theory: a) A well-substantiated explanation of events b) A proposed explanation for a phenomena

a) A well-substantiated explanation of events

12- Another name for a ________ boundary is a destructive boundary. a) Convergent b) Divergent c) Transform d) mid ocean ridge

a) Convergent

What is the densest layer of Earth in the chemical classification? a) Core b) Crust c) Mantle

a) Core

Where are the majority of active volcanoes on Earth located? a) In the oceans b) On the continents

a) In the oceans

What is the thickest layer of Earth in the chemical classification? a) Mantle b) Core c) Crust

a) Mantle

12- The surface feature on Earth that resemble the seams on a baseball is: a) Mid ocean ridges b) Continental geothermal vents c) The core d) The mountain ranges

a) Mid ocean ridges

12- Are all plates moving at the same speed? a) No b) Yes

a) No

1) A science textbook uses the word "theory" to describe an idea, because scientists are very confident that the idea is correct based on lots of observational evidence supporting the idea a) True b) False

a) True

12- A tentative or untested explanation built on strong supporting evidence is ____ . a) a hypothesis. b) a theory. c) a law. d) an observation.

a) a hypothesis.

12- In a study focused on the role of nitrogen on plant growth, which is the independent variable? a) amount of nitrogen b) plant growth c) the control field d) soil moisture

a) amount of nitrogen

Why are some layers of Earth liquid and some solid? a) because of the interplay of temperature and pressure b) because temperature is so high, all layers of Earth are liquid c) because the pressure is so high, all layers of Earth are solid

a) because of the interplay of temperature and pressure

12- All of the following offer additional evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics except for ________. a) changes in the Moon's orbit due to shifting plates b) ocean floor sediment cores c) hot spots d) measurements of plate motions

a) changes in the Moon's orbit due to shifting plates

12- Which of the following presents science in a highly distorted and filtered way? a) news reports about science b) presentations at scientific meetings c) publications in scientific journals d) formal discussions between scientists about their research

a) news reports about science

1) In a study focused on the role of nitrogen on plant growth, which is the dependent variable? a) plant growth b) amount of nitrogen c) the control field d) soil moisture

a) plant growth

12- Scientists develop an understanding of the natural world according to a set of guidelines known as the _____. a) scientific method. b) observation law. c) 1st law of thermodynamics d) catastrophic change

a) scientific method.

Deep ocean trenches are the sites of: a) subduction zones b) divergent plate boundaries c) Transform faults

a) subduction zones

12- Scientists interpret the data to arrive at conclusions. These conclusions are _____ . a) subject to change when additional data becomes available. b) never change, it's set in stone. c) always correct. d) not subject to review, even if new data becomes available.

a) subject to change when additional data becomes available.

How precise is our current knowledge of plate movement? a) with millimeter precision b) with meter precision c) 5 cm per year

a) with millimeter precision

1) Which of these topics can NOT always be resolved with science? a) Art b) Religion c) Politics all choices

all choices

What is the asthenosphere? a) A portion of the atmosphere that blocks UV radiation b) A soft, low-velocity layer in the upper mantle c) The transition zone between the mantle and the outer core The portion of the hydrologic cycle that describes how plants contribute their respiration

b) A soft, low-velocity layer in the upper mantle

What is the major difference between the crust and the mantle? a) Strength b) Composition c) Temperature d) Viscosity

b) Composition

12- Evolution by Natural Selection is a fact. a) True b) False

b) False

1) Which is a mark of good science: a) Uses over-simplified interpretations of legitimate studies and may combine with imprecise, spiritual or new age vocabulary, to form new, completely untested theories. b) It is backed up by experiments that have generated enough data to convince other experts of its legitimacy. c) Comes from overconfident fringe experts d) Contains experimental flaws

b) It is backed up by experiments that have generated enough data to convince other experts of its legitimacy.

12- In which layer of the Earth does the convection necessary for plate motion occur? a) Crust b) Mantle c) Outer core d) Inner core

b) Mantle

12- Which layer of the Earth is the thickest? a) Crust b) Mantle c) Outer Core d) Inner Core Answer: b

b) Mantle

The majority of water in the hydrosphere is found in which feature? a) Rivers b) Oceans c) Water vapor d) Glaciers

b) Oceans

12- ________ is the name of the process by which new seafloor is generated at mid-ocean ridges. a) Subduction b) Seafloor spreading c) Convection d) Melting

b) Seafloor spreading

Geoscientists interpret the data to arrive at conclusions. These conclusions are _____ . a) never changing, set in stone. b) may be changed when additional data becomes available. c) always correct. d) not subject to review, even if new data becomes available.

b) may be changed when additional data becomes available.

12- Scientists develop an understanding of the natural world according to a set of guidelines known as the _____. a) observation law. b) scientific method. c) 1st law of thermodynamics d) law of entropy. e) catastrophic change

b) scientific method.

1) Which statement is NOT true? a) Geologic hazards are natural processes. b) Before a hypothesis can become an accepted part of scientific knowledge, it must pass objective testing and analysis. c) A hypothesis can never be changed or modified.

c) A hypothesis can never be changed or modified.

12- Which of the following is the definition of a scientific theory? a) The gathering of data through observations b) A tentative explanation used to explain observed activities c) A well-tested and widely accepted view that explains observable facts d) A hypothesis

c) A well-tested and widely accepted view that explains observable facts

The ________ is a layer of liquid nickel and iron believed to be responsible for generating the Earth's magnetic field. a) Crust b) Mantle c) Outer Core d) Inner Core

c) Outer Core

12- Which of the following plate boundaries is not usually associated with volcanism? a) Convergent b) Divergent c) Transform d) All plate boundaries are associated with volcanism.

c) Transform

1) Science is: a) a theory b) a hypothesis c) a process of producing knowledge a load of crap!

c) a process of producing knowledge

12- What is a mantle plume? a) The magma that rises up from the mantle at a divergent plate boundary b) Material rising up from a subducting plate going through partial melting c) A form of batholith composed of ferromagnesian materials d) An upwelling of hot material from the Earth's interior that is cylindrical in shape

d) An upwelling of hot material from the Earth's interior that is cylindrical in shape

12- Which of the four spheres of Earth is the most extensive? a) Biosphere b) Hydrosphere c) Atmosphere d) Geosphere

d) Geosphere

1) Which one is a mark of bad science? a) Has failed to convince many mainstream scientists of its' truth b) Speaks dismissively of mainstream science c) Is not based on experiments that can be reproduced by others d) all of the options are marks of bad science

d) all of the options are marks of bad science

12- The lithosphere is composed of the ________ and the rigid part of the ________. a) outer core; inner core b) mantle; outer core c) crust; lower mantle d) crust; upper mantle

d) crust; upper mantle

1) Which of the following is true about major theories in the sciences, such as the theory of plate tectonics, the theory of the atom, the theory of the igneous origin of granite and basalt, the two theories of relativity, and the theory of natural selection as the main process of evolution? a) they are ideas that have not yet been tested and proved to anybody's satisfaction b) there is key evidence that has been accounted for only by the theory and not by any other explanation c) there are questions about the limits and details of the theory that have not yet been figured out (otherwise, scientists would be out of jobs) d) they have been tested many times in many different ways, usually leading to refinement of the theory

d) they have been tested many times in many different ways, usually leading to refinement of the theory