Chapter 1

Question 1

Accretion

Answer 1

An increase of the mass of a body by accumulation or clumping of smaller particles

Question 2

Big Bang

Answer 2

The hypothetical event that started the expansion of the universe from a geometric point, the beginning of time

Question 3

Biosynthesis

Answer 3

The initial formation of life on Earth

Question 4

Condensation Theory

Answer 4

The premise that stars and planets accumulate from contracting, accreting clouds of galactic gas, dust, and debris.

Question 5

Density

Answer 5

The mass per unit volume of a substance, usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm^3)

Question 6

Density Stratification

Answer 6

The formation of layers in a material, with each deeper layer being denser than the layer above.

Question 7

Experiment

Answer 7

Tests that simplify observation in nature or in the laboratory by manipulating or controlling the conditions under which observations are made.

Question 8

Galaxy

Answer 8

A large, rotating aggregation of stars, dust, gas, and other debris held together by gravity. There are perhaps 50 billion galaxies in the universe and 50 billion stars in each galaxy.

Question 9

Gas Giant Planet

Answer 9

Massive, relatively low-density planets that are composed primarily of hydrogen, helium, and other light materials in either their gas or liquid state. They are often found in the outer solar system and do not have a well-defined solid surface.

Question 10

Hypothesis

Answer 10

A speculation about the natural world that may be verified or disproved by observation and experiment.

Question 11

Laws

Answer 11

A large construct explaining events in nature that have been observed to occur with unvarying uniformity under the same conditions.

Question 12

Marine Science

Answer 12

The process (or result) of applying the scientific method to the ocean, its surroundings, and the life-forms within it; also called oceanography or oceanology.

Question 13

Milky Way Galaxy

Answer 13

The name of our galaxy; sometimes applied to the field of stars in our home spiral arm, which is correctly called the Orion Arm.

Question 14

Nebulae

Answer 14

Diffuse could of dust and gas.

Question 15

Ocean

Answer 15

The great body of saline water that covers 70.78% of the surface of Earth. One of its primary subdivisions bounded by continents, the equator, and other imaginary lines.

Question 16

Oceanography

Answer 16

The science of the ocean (also marine science).

Question 17

Outgassing

Answer 17

The volcanic venting of volatile substances.

Question 18

Planets

Answer 18

A smaller, usually nonluminous body orbiting a star.

Question 19

Science

Answer 19

A systemic way of asking questions about the natural world and testing the answers to those questions.

Question 20

Scientific Method

Answer 20

The orderly process by which theories explaining the operation of the natural world are verified or rejected.

Question 21

Solar Nebula

Answer 21

The diffuse cloud of dust from which the solar system originated.

Question 22

Solar System

Answer 22

The sun together with the planets and other bodies that revolve around it.

Question 23

Stars

Answer 23

A massive sphere of incandescent gases powered by the conversion of hydrogen to helium and other heavier elements.

Question 24

Supernova

Answer 24

The explosive collapse of a massive star.

Question 25

Terrestrial Planets

Answer 25

Relatively small, rocky, and dense planets found in the inner solar system that have a well-defined solid surface.

Question 26

Theory

Answer 26

A general explanation of a characteristic of nature consistently supported by observation or experiment.

Question 27

World Ocean

Answer 27

The great body of saline water that covers 70.78% of Earth’s surface.