Deck 1: Introduction to Earth Science

Question 1

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

A) Theory
B) Hypothesis
C) Observation

Answer 1

Hypothesis

Question 2

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?

A) Scientific explanations are tentative.
B) Scientific hypotheses are falsible.
C) Scientific explanations make predictions.
D) Science is limited by technology.

Answer 2

Science is limited by technology.

Question 3

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?

A) Scientific explanations are tentative.
B) Science is based on empirical observations.
C) Scientific explanations make predictions.
D) Science is limited by technology.

Answer 3

Scientific explanations are tentative.

Question 4

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?

A) Scientific explanations are tentative.
B) Science is based on empirical observations.
C) Scientific explanations make predictions.
D) Science is limited by technology.

Question 5

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?

A) Alerting the public of natural hazards
B) Use of earth resources
C) Health of the environment
D) Informing society

Question 6

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?

A) Their data are accurate, but not precise.
B) Their data are precise, but not accurate.
C) Their data are not accurate or precise.
D) Their data are accurate and precise.

Question 7

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?

A) Their data are accurate, but not precise.
B) Their data are precise, but not accurate.
C) Their data are not accurate or precise.
D) Their data are accurate and precise.

Question 8

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) Shut down the wells because they are unsafe.
B) Test the same sample using both testing systems.
C) Ignore the citizens complaints after the retesting.
D) Test a third complete set of sample just to make sure the water is safe.
Emission testing is required by federal law in areas that have had problems meeting health-based air quality standards. Such areas typically include industrialized urban areas and large cities. Supporters of this practice argue that all citizens benefit because vehicles with malfunctioning pollution control systems are identified. They also cite government data showing average failure rates of 10%. Critics of the testing argue that, of those vehicles that fail, 90% are vehicles 5 or more years old. A law has been placed on the ballot to save citizens money by no longer requiring vehicles less than 5 years old be tested unless they are obviously malfunctioning.

Question 9

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?

A) Air quality should improve a lot.
B) Air quality should decline a lot.
C) There should be little change to air quality.

Question 10

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?

A) Climate has changed in the past.
B) Climate will change in the future.
C) Climate will stay about the same.

Question 11

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?

A) They rely on scientific opinions.
B) They rely on accepted theories.
C) They rely on empirical evidence.

Question 12

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?

A) Alerting public of natural hazards
B) Use of earth resources
C) Ensuring the future of human life
D) Informing society

Question 13

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) Nuclear, oil, coal
B) Oil, coal, nuclear
C) Coal, nuclear, oil
D) Coal, oil, nuclear

Question 14

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?

A) Geosphere to atmosphere
B) Atmosphere to geosphere
C) Geosphere to hydrosphere
D) Hydrosphere to geosphere

Question 15

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?

A) Alerting public of natural hazards
B) Use of earth resources
C) Ensuring the future of human life
D) Informing society

Question 16

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?

A) Attack on the scientist, not the science.
B) Arguing from authority.
C) Confusing cause and effect.
D) The use of bad statistics.

Question 17

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?

A) Science is a large body of factual knowledge.
B) Science is the process of discovery.
C) Science is the quest for ultimate truth.

Question 18

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?

A) Hydrosphere
B) Biosphere
C) Geosphere
D) Atmosphere
E) Exosphere

Question 19

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?

A) Atmosphere
B) Biosphere
C) Hydrosphere
D) Solid earth

Question 20

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?

A) Atmosphere
B) Biosphere
C) Hydrosphere
D) Solid earth

Question 21

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

A) To illustrate the need for more safety measures at gas storage facilities.
B) To illustrate the process of science in an actual situation.
C) To contrast the characteristics of "good" and "bad" science.

Question 22

What distinguishes science from non-science?

A) Science is based on empirical observations.
B) Science is based on unchanging facts.
C) Science is based solely on experiments.

Question 23

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

A) New data
B) New observations
C) Experiments
D) Any of the choices are correct.

Question 24

Which of the following is a characteristic of empirical observations?

A) They can be measured by others.
B) They are observations that will not change.
C) They represent ethical interpretations.

Question 25

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

A) It illustrated characteristics of bad science.
B) It illustrated the characteristics of good science.
C) It illustrated the characteristics of the limitations of science.

Question 26

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

A) Because humans are the dominant life form on Earth at present.
B) Because humans population is increasing rapidly.
C) Because humans are causing significant changes to the planet.

Question 27

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

A) Floods
B) Tornados
C) Hurricanes
D) Volcanic Eruptions

Question 28

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

Question 29

Science provides answers to ethical dilemmas.

Question 30

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

Question 31

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

Question 32

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

Question 33

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

Question 34

We can adjust to natural hazards.

Question 35

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