Question 1

Describe how the universe,galaxies,stars,and chemical elements formed.

Accepted Answer

Scientists believe that the universe originated with the Big Bang approximately 15 billion years ago.At the moment of the Big Bang,there was only energy,no matter.In the first second following the Big Bang,the four basic forces separated and the universe experienced enormous expansion.Galaxies and stars came together because particles attracted to each other by gravity and angular momentum caused the material to rotate.In the early universe,the only chemical elements were hydrogen and helium.Nuclear reactions in stars formed the heavier elements and star explosions scattered them around space.

Question 2

How have natural resources been important in history?

Accepted Answer

States,nations,and empires have risen and fallen,and they have fought for control of,or sometimes lost,natural resources.

Question 3

What is Pluto now that it is no longer a planet,and what are the characteristics of that type of body?

Accepted Answer

Pluto is now a dwarf planet.These bodies are similar to planets but they have not cleared their portion of space of debris.Pluto is found within the Kuiper belt of comets and other icy debris.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of the Jovian planets?

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Question 5

Briefly explain the importance of the Principle of Uniformitarianism to the study of historical geology.

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Question 6

What is scientific method?

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Question 7

What are some of the predicted consequences of global warming?

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Question 8

Briefly explain the importance of the geologic time scale.

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Question 9

Briefly explain how the themes of plate tectonics,organic evolution,and geologic time provide a cohesive history of Earth.

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Question 10

Briefly explain how geologists can formulate theories about events that occurred on Earth before humans were here to make observations.

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Question 11

What are planetesimals?

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Question 12

What are two examples of geology-related environmental concerns? Briefly explain why geology holds an important position in environmental science.

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Question 13

What are the characteristics of the terrestrial planets?

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Question 14

What distinguishes science from other forms of human inquiry?

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Question 15

Briefly explain the current theory of Earth's origin,including how and why it came to be differentiated by composition.

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Question 16

What is greenhouse effect and how does it work? What happens when greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere increase?

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Question 17

What is one way in which geologic knowledge is used to help humans?

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Question 18

What is the basic tenet of the theory of organic evolution? What is the mechanism for organic evolution called and how does it work?

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Question 19

How are the rock cycle and plate tectonics related?

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Question 20

How is a theory formulated?

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Quiz 1: Understanding Earth: A Dynamic and Evolving Planet