Exam 1: Introduction to Earth Science

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. -How are these goals consistent with the characteristics of good science?

Suppose an electric-generating power plant is about to be built near your house. The local government has not decided whether to allow coal, nuclear, or oil as fuel for the plant (natural gas is not an option). Some groups argue coal is the best choice because there is a 200-year supply and using coal reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Critics argue that burning coal produces three times more global-warming gasses than oil. Coal also produces more dust and expels more acid-rain-causing gases than oil. Others argue that nuclear-generated power produces no greenhouse gases and no other atmospheric pollution. Critics argue that there is presently no long-term location to store the radioactive waste that will be generated and question the safety of nuclear power. Over the life of the plant, nuclear is the least expensive option, followed by coal and then oil. -Place the fuel options from this paragraph in order from highest impact on global warming to least impact.

A hypothesis can be improved or rejected based on which of the following?

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 statement below best describes the data reported by the concerned citizens?

Suppose an electric-generating power plant is about to be built near your house. The local government has not decided whether to allow coal, nuclear, or oil as fuel for the plant (natural gas is not an option). Some groups argue coal is the best choice because there is a 200-year supply and using coal reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Critics argue that burning coal produces three times more global-warming gasses than oil. Coal also produces more dust and expels more acid-rain-causing gases than oil. Others argue that nuclear-generated power produces no greenhouse gases and no other atmospheric pollution. Critics argue that there is presently no long-term location to store the radioactive waste that will be generated and question the safety of nuclear power. Over the life of the plant, nuclear is the least expensive option, followed by coal and then oil. -Which earth system interaction is illustrated by this passage?

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. -What hypothesis underlies these goals?

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 part of the earth system includes plants and animals?

Theories are developed so that they can not be found to be false.

A hypothesis is supported by more scientific observation and research than a theory.

Which of the following natural hazards are we most likely to try to prevent?

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 part of the earth system includes ice on Antarctica?

Why was the mid-continent earthquake story discussed in Chapter 1?

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 component of the earth system relates to the solid earth?

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. -Which of the earth-system scientist's roles is best illustrated by this paragraph?

Suppose an electric-generating power plant is about to be built near your house. The local government has not decided whether to allow coal, nuclear, or oil as fuel for the plant (natural gas is not an option). Some groups argue coal is the best choice because there is a 200-year supply and using coal reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Critics argue that burning coal produces three times more global-warming gasses than oil. Coal also produces more dust and expels more acid-rain-causing gases than oil. Others argue that nuclear-generated power produces no greenhouse gases and no other atmospheric pollution. Critics argue that there is presently no long-term location to store the radioactive waste that will be generated and question the safety of nuclear power. Over the life of the plant, nuclear is the least expensive option, followed by coal and then oil. -Which of the earth-system scientist's roles is best illustrated by this paragraph?