Lecture 1: Introduction

Question 1

What is earth science?

Answer 1

Science dealing with the physical constitution of earth and its atmosphere

Question 2

What sciences make up earth science?

Answer 2

Meteorology oceanography geology astronomy

Question 3

What is the scientific method?

Answer 3

Question
Data
Hypothesis
Predictions tested
Incorrect hypothesis discarded 
Passing hypothesis becomes a theory

Question 4

What assumption does the scientific method operate under?

Answer 4

Nature behaves in a consistent and predictable manner that can be understood through careful and systematic study

Question 5

What does it mean for something to be scientific?

Answer 5

Testable, based on data and observations, and the data is public and reproducible.

Question 6

What is a theory?

Answer 6

A scientific idea that has an excellent chance of being true

Question 7

Are theories ever considered to be true why or why not?

Answer 7

No in science nothing is considered to be proven

Question 8

Describe the earth as a system

Answer 8

A combination of interrelated and interdependent parts for being a collective whole

Question 9

What systems operate within earth? Briefly describe them.

Answer 9

Hydrosphere (water)
Atmosphere (gas)
Biosphere (living things)
Geosphere (solid rocky earth)

Question 10

What is density?

Answer 10

Mass/volume

Question 11

What factors affect density?

Answer 11

Temperature and pressure

Question 12

What is the earth system driven by?

Answer 12

Heat (energy)

Question 13

What are the two sources for heat?

Answer 13

Internal and external

Question 14

Describe external heat.

Answer 14

Source is the sun drives the atmosphere and hydrosphere

Question 15

Describe internal heat

Answer 15

Moving from hot interior to cool exterior drives geologic processes

Question 16

What is the age of the earth?

Answer 16

Approximately 4.55 billion years old

Question 17

What is the age of the universe?

Answer 17

approximately 13.7 billion years old