Earth Systems and Cycles Flashcards
Hypothesis=
an idea about how observations are related to each other/ how the observations can be explained
- must be testable and modifiable
Theories vs Scientific Laws
Theory= a hypothesis that explains many observations and has passed many tests
Scientific Law= a theory that explains many observations and has passed many tests that are trusted (has not been disproved)
Principles=
a hypothesis that works most of the time, but has some exceptions
Models=
simplified versions of the natural world
- help us learn about something that’s otherwise complicated
T/F
Earth science is both an observational and an experimental science
true
principle of uniformitarianism=
the idea that Earth has always changed in uniform ways and that the present is the key to the past
paradigms=
a scientific revolution
principle of actualism-
a modern version of uniformitarianism
- the present is key to the past
isolated system=
- no matter or energy lost/ gained from the system
- eg. solar system can be treated as an isolated system in some cases (not much is transferred in/ out of the solar system)
Closed system=
no matter is lost/ gained, but energy may be exchanged with surroundings
- Earth is approximately a closed system
Open system=
both energy and matter are exchanged with the surroundings
- examples: the atmosphere, ocean, forest, a human
List 4 major open systems that are within the closed system of earth
- atmosphere
- geosphere
- hydrosphere
- biosphere
Cycle=
flow of energy and mass from one system to another (open systems)
budget=
when a cycle is quantified we can call it a budget
reservoir=
a location where a quantity of material/ energy sits
