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Geology Test 1
Introduction Chapter
20
Geology
Undergraduate 2
09/18/2008

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Cards

Term
What are the Earth's Reservoirs?
Definition
Solid earth
Hydrosphere Atmosphere
Biosphere
Term
Where does heat on Earth come from?
Definition
Both inside and outside the planet
Term
What are the Steps of the Scientific Method?
Definition
Identify a gap in the understanding of certain natural phenomena, Collect data, Formulate a hypothesis and then proceed to test it, and Develop a theory.
Term
True or False
A theory can never be proven wrong?
Definition
False
Term
What is a system
Definition
Any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole.
Term
Processes of the Rock Cycle?
Definition
One of Earth's subsystems, The loop that involves the processes by which one rock changes into another, Mainly involves the solid Earth, although the atmosphere and hydrosphere can also affect it.
Term
True or False
The geologic Time Scale represents all of earth's history?
Definition
True
Term
A basic premise used in geology is...
Definition
The present is the key to the past.
Term
A Theory is
Definition
An Hypothesis that has withstood repeated testing and application but has not been proven conclusively enough to be accepted as a law.
Term
The Biosphere
Definition
The realm of life and one of Earth's four main surface reservoirs. It consists of all living animals and plants, and those in the process of decay.
Term
Inductive reasoning
Definition
making generalizations from specific observations
Term
Deductive Reasoning
Definition
making predictions from pre-existing generalizations
Term
Solid Earth
Definition
The Earth beneath our feet and its principal reservoir. It comprises the Earth's crust, mantle, and core.
Term
Scientific Data Should Be:
Definition
Representative and unbiased; Reproducible; Accurate and precise
Term
Hydrosphere
Definition
The Earth's watery envelope and one of its four main surface reservoirs. It includes the surface waters of oceans, streams and lakes, the water trapped in snow and ice, and all groundwater.
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
A generalized statement designed to EXPLAIN a set of scientific observations. The best is one that explains ALL of the existing observations.
Term
Atmosphere
Definition
The Earth's gaseous envelope and one of its four main surface reservoirs. It is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, .9% argon, .03% carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases including water vapor and ozone.
Term
What is the source of Earth’s external heat?
Definition
Heat Engine is powered by the sun, and drives the earth’s fluid envelopes (the atmosphere and hydrosphere)
Term
What is the source of Earth's internal heat?
Definition
Heat Engine is driven by geothermal heat, and drives the formation of volcanoes, mountain belts, the continents and the ocean basins
Term
What is the age of the earth?
Definition
4.57 Billion years old
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