Exam 1: Introduction to Earth Science

A group of concerned citizens was worried that their local water supply might be contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic. They decided to purchase a home arsenic monitoring kit and tested well water in their local area. After analyzing the data (shown below), the citizens wrote a letter to the editor of a local newspaper arguing that their data proved that the water supply is contaminated. They demanded immediate government action to address the problem. The local water board again tested the wells using their official water testing instruments and found average concentrations of 8.1 +/- 0.2 micrograms per liter. Assume the water board's reported measurements are the accepted value. The maximum permitted level of arsenic in water supplies is 10 micro-grams per liter. -Which of the following water board actions is most appropriate under the circumstances?

A group of concerned citizens was worried that their local water supply might be contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic. They decided to purchase a home arsenic monitoring kit and tested well water in their local area. After analyzing the data (shown below), the citizens wrote a letter to the editor of a local newspaper arguing that their data proved that the water supply is contaminated. They demanded immediate government action to address the problem. The local water board again tested the wells using their official water testing instruments and found average concentrations of 8.1 +/- 0.2 micrograms per liter. Assume the water board's reported measurements are the accepted value. The maximum permitted level of arsenic in water supplies is 10 micro-grams per liter. -Suppose the law passed. What is likely to happen to air quality in those areas where testing is required?

Pluto was discovered in 1930, becoming the 9^th planet in the solar system. As telescopes improved, other Sun-orbiting objects were discovered. Some of those were even larger than Pluto. By 2005, it was becoming apparent that many more objects would soon be discovered and that the number of planets in the Solar System could swell to as many as 50. After much debate, scientists in the International Astronomical Union (IAU) concluded that Pluto and the other similar celestial bodies orbiting the Sun should be classified as "dwarf" planets. Since a "planet" must clear the space surrounding its orbit, our Solar system now has 8 planets. -Why weren't the other Pluto-like objects discovered earlier?

The US government Strategic Plan for the Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) has five major goals related to the role of earth scientists in society. 1) Improve knowledge of the Earth's past and present climate and environment, including its natural variability, and improve understanding of the causes of observed variability and change. 2) Improve quantification of the forces bringing about changes in the Earth's climate and related systems. 3) Reduce uncertainty in projections of how the Earth's climate and related systems may change in the future. 4) Understand the sensitivity and adaptability of different natural and managed ecosystems and human systems to climate and related global changes. 5) Explore the uses and identify the limits of evolving knowledge to manage risks and opportunities related to climate variability and change. -Which of the earth-system scientist's roles is best illustrated by goal number 3?

We can adjust to natural hazards.

In the context of science, how would you classify the following statement? Dinosaurs become extinct because a large asteroid collided with Earth.

In what context (why) was the 2001 Hutchinson, Kansas gas leak explosion discussed in Chapter 1?

Most natural hazards such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes can be prevented.

Why might the era we live in today one day be called the "Anthropocene"?

Pluto was discovered in 1930, becoming the 9^th planet in the solar system. As telescopes improved, other Sun-orbiting objects were discovered. Some of those were even larger than Pluto. By 2005, it was becoming apparent that many more objects would soon be discovered and that the number of planets in the Solar System could swell to as many as 50. After much debate, scientists in the International Astronomical Union (IAU) concluded that Pluto and the other similar celestial bodies orbiting the Sun should be classified as "dwarf" planets. Since a "planet" must clear the space surrounding its orbit, our Solar system now has 8 planets. -Why are scientists expected to publish the data they use to make discoveries?

Accuracy in measurements deals with how closely data agree with one another.

Science provides answers to ethical dilemmas.

What distinguishes science from non-science?

Pluto was discovered in 1930, becoming the 9^th planet in the solar system. As telescopes improved, other Sun-orbiting objects were discovered. Some of those were even larger than Pluto. By 2005, it was becoming apparent that many more objects would soon be discovered and that the number of planets in the Solar System could swell to as many as 50. After much debate, scientists in the International Astronomical Union (IAU) concluded that Pluto and the other similar celestial bodies orbiting the Sun should be classified as "dwarf" planets. Since a "planet" must clear the space surrounding its orbit, our Solar system now has 8 planets. -Pluto still exists, so how do you explain that we now officially only have 8 planets in our solar system?

Social factors affecting decisions on the environment are more difficult to quantify than physical or chemical factors.

Evacuation of a city in advance of a hurricane would be an example of prevention.

A group of concerned citizens was worried that their local water supply might be contaminated with naturally occurring arsenic. They decided to purchase a home arsenic monitoring kit and tested well water in their local area. After analyzing the data (shown below), the citizens wrote a letter to the editor of a local newspaper arguing that their data proved that the water supply is contaminated. They demanded immediate government action to address the problem. The local water board again tested the wells using their official water testing instruments and found average concentrations of 8.1 +/- 0.2 micrograms per liter. Assume the water board's reported measurements are the accepted value. The maximum permitted level of arsenic in water supplies is 10 micro-grams per liter. -The citizens decide to retest the water and obtain 11.1 +/-0.2 micrograms per liter and again argue for action. Which statement below best describes the new data reported by the concerned citizens?

Which of the following is a characteristic of empirical observations?

Many people think that water draining from a sink rotates in a particular direction due to something called the Coriolis effect due to the rotation of the earth. Furthermore, such people frequently argue that the direction is reversed in opposite hemisphere. In reality, the Coriolis effect in that situation is so small it has virtually no effect on the direction water drains from a sink or toilette. The drainage direction is related to the shape of the sink bowl or the direction water flushes into a toilette. -Which characteristic of "bad science" related to draining water is most prevalent in this passage?

Many people think that water draining from a sink rotates in a particular direction due to something called the Coriolis effect due to the rotation of the earth. Furthermore, such people frequently argue that the direction is reversed in opposite hemisphere. In reality, the Coriolis effect in that situation is so small it has virtually no effect on the direction water drains from a sink or toilette. The drainage direction is related to the shape of the sink bowl or the direction water flushes into a toilette. -Which statement best describes science?