Exam 2: Science Literacy and the Process of Science- Science and the Sky: Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ozone

Infographic 2.7. -Refer to the right-hand panel of Infographic 2.7. The Montréal Protocol and its amendments have phased out the use of CFCs worldwide. Still, the protective ozone layer over Antarctica continues to shrink. Please give several reasons why this occurs and why it will continue to occur for some time.

Infographic 2.5. -Refer to Infographic 2.5. Does an increase or decrease in the concentration of chlorine monoxide (ClO) in the stratosphere support Solomon's hypothesis that free chlorine molecules (Cl₂) from CFCs would break up into chlorine atoms that destroy ozone?

Which of the following ensures that only quality scientific studies that have been well controlled and avoid bias appear in scientific journals?

Which of the following questions can be solved with empirical evidence?

Apply the precautionary principle to development of a new cancer-fighting drug. What needs to happen before the drug actually reaches consumers? Might some cancer patients be critical of applying the precautionary principle in this case? Why?

Explain how scientists use probability to apply a level of certainty to their conclusions?

Describe the importance of peer-review to the scientific process.

Peer review is _______________.

Infographic 2.6 -Refer to Infographic 2.6 In the observational study (Abarca et al.), explain why the time period is the independent variable and the incidence of skin cancer is the dependent variable.

Which of the following statements is TRUE of CFCs?

Ozone-depleting chemicals are most efficient at the poles, both for Arctic and Antarctic regions. The major reason for this is:

Which of the following hypotheses is NOT testable?

The _______________ was an international treaty, eventually ratified by all countries in 2009, which dealt with the problem of ozone depletion.

Which of the following is FALSE regarding a scientific theory?

When conducting an experimental study, scientists manipulate the ________ variable and measure the _____________ variable to see if it is affected.

Infographic 2.7. -Refer to Infographic 2.7. Comparing the Beijing Amendment (1999) to no protocol, by what percent was chlorine in the stratosphere depleted in 2010?

Tests of significance help to determine if an event was due to chance or something else. The probability value is expressed as a p-value. What does it mean to have a p-value equal to 0.05?

A researcher wants to know how effective a new suntan lotion is at preventing skin cancer caused by UV radiation. She uses mice as test subjects to model the effects for humans. Which of the following is the best control for this experiment?

How would you respond to someone who says, "The hole in the ozone layer being caused by CFCs is just a theory"?

The manufacture and sale of CFCs was very profitable for the DuPont chemical company, and they and other industry scientists actively resisted their ban, using both political and scientific means. Considering that most of their products do not cause a global catastrophe and products must be sold in order to generate profit, it is in their interests to take an "innocent until proven guilty" approach to regulation of their products. What approach to environmental policy was used for the Montréal Protocol? Why is it required that scientists acknowledge any competing interests when they submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal?