ESC1000 Flashcards
FOR SCIENCE!!!
T/F
The largest mountain on earth is Mount. Everest.
false. MT.mauna kea, HI
Mount Everest used to be the bottom of the ocean. If you are lucky enough to summit Mt. Everest, you could possibly find fossils. Fossils are located in the [BLANK-1]. formation
Qomolangma
Which of the following are the types of ecosystems/zones ( terrestrial and marine) that can be found on the flanks of Mauna Kea? Choose all that apply.
Abyss
Subalpine Woodlands
Twilight Realm
Alpine Stone Desert
Place the following events in order that contributed to the formation of Death Valley and Badwater Basin
1, The North American Plate started to stretch out
2. Crustal stretching caused the crust to slump down to create faults and surrounding mountains.
3. Ice ages occurred and the surrounding mountains were covered by glaciers that fed a lake.
4. The climate changed, glaciers melted and the lakes dried up leaving salt and minerals behind.
The deepest point in the ocean is called _________________ _________________
Challenger Deep
T/F
The Grand Canyon is the largest canyon on Earth.
False Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon
Which rivers flow “ backwards” Chose all that apply
St. Johns River
Nile River
Which river is responsible for the formation of the Grand Canyon?
Colorado River
The time that it takes light to travel from the sun to the earth is
_minutes and _seconds.
8 mins 20 sec
Which of the following are types of rock layers that make up the Grand Canyon? Choose all that apply.
Shale
Schist
Limestone
Sandstone
The largest lake on Earth is
Caspian Sea
The largest desert on Earth is the
Sahara Desert
The hottest temperature on Earth was recorded as [BLANK-1]. oF.
134
Eutrophication
Excessive richness of nutrients in water often from runoff
nitrogen cycle
the series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition
carbon cycle
the series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, involving the incorporation of carbon dioxide into living tissue by photosynthesis and its return to the atmosphere through respiration
phosphorus cycle
Phosphorus Cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformation and translocation of phosphorus in soil, water, and living and dead organic matter
hypothesis
proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
control
an element that remains unchanged or unaffected by other variables.
independent variable
the variable you manipulate, control, or vary in an experimental study to explore its effects
dependent variable
what you measure in the experiment and what is affected during the experiment.
theory
a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world
scientific law
statements, based on repeated experiments or observations, that describe or predict a range of natural phenomena
hypoxia
oxygen deficiency in a biotic environment
nitrification
bacteria in the soil use oxygen to change compounds of nitrogen in dead plant material into nitrates which plants can then absorb as food.
nitrogen fixation
the process by which nitrogen is taken from its molecular form (N2) in the atmosphere and converted into nitrogen compounds useful for other biochemical processes
inductive reasoning
various methods of reasoning in which broad generalizations or principles are derived from a body of observations.
abiotic
factors in an environment include such items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation
biotic
Consisting of living organisms
observation
the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information
seasons (definition)
each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth’s changing position with regard to the sun.
lithosphere
crust and upper mantle.
hydrosphere
bodies of water on earth
cryosphere
frozen part of earth like poles, or glaciers
biosphere
all living things
atmosphere
the sky, gaseous area protecting earth
watershed
an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.
biogeochemical cycles
the movement of nutrients and other elements between biotic and abiotic factors.
for example, carbon cycle precipitation, phosphorus cycle
What are the sciences that collectively make up Earth science? Choose all that apply.
Geology
Meteorology
Astronomy
Oceanography
How old is Earth?
4.6 billion
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a scientific theory?
A hypothesis is a yet untested explanation for a phenomenon, whereas a theory is a repeatedly tested and widely accepted explanation for a phenomenon.
What is the correct order of steps followed in many scientific investigations?
Raise a question; do background research; form a hypothesis; test the hypothesis; analyze the data; if the data support the hypothesis, share the results with the scientific community.
Which of the following steps are parts of scientific investigations? Choose all that apply.
Develop hypotheses
Observe and measure
Test hypotheses
Each of the following is either a hypothesis, theory or observation.
Match the appropriate items into their respective terms. Each item may be used only once.
The Redwall formation in the Grand Canyon is primarily Limestone.
Observation
Plate Tectonics which involves the movement and interaction of large plates have produced mountains, earthquakes and volcanoes.
Theory
A scientist proposes that a recently discovered large ring-shaped structure is the remains of an ancient meteorite crater
Hypothesis
The Colorado River has carved the Grand Canyon to a depth of
— mile(s) and length of — mile(s).
1 and 277
Why do scientists collect data?
To support or disprove a hypothesis
Which one of the following is true regarding the effects of Glen Canyon Dam on the Grand Canyon?
The dam traps sediment that previously had been carried downstream.
What are the names of the four spheres that: (1) include all life on Earth, (2) extend from the surface of the Earth to its center, (3) is comprised of all water and ice on the Earth, and (4) is a gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth?
(1) biosphere, (2) geosphere, (3) hydrosphere, (4) atmosphere
What percentage of the surface of the Earth do oceans cover, and what percentage of Earth’s total water supply do they represent?
The oceans of the Earth collectively cover 71% of its surface and represent 97% of the Earth’s total water supply.
In the context of science, how would you classify the following statement? Iridium is present in relatively high concentrations in 65 million year old rock layers in several different locations on Earth.
Observation
Scientific results are unpredictable and are mainly determined by the personal views of the scientists.
false
In the context of science, how would you classify the following statement? Dinosaurs became extinct because a large asteroid collided with Earth.
hypothesis
n 2005 the United States Congress mandated that NASA find 90 percent of large Near Earth asteroids (NEAs)-those that have the potential to impact Earth-by the year 2020.
may some day be prevented
