Chapter One - Introduction to Earth Science

How does science differ from art, architecture, and philosophy?

• The goal of science is human endeavor.
• Science takes more mental energy.
• Science is the same as these other endeavors.
• The goal of science is to explain natural phenomena.

In their scientific study of Earth, what did the ancient Chinese do?

• record time
• keep accurate records of births and deaths
• keep records of earthquakes
• invent electricity

What is Earth science?

• the scientific study of chemical mixtures
• the scientific study of Earth and the universe around it
• the scientific study of animal behavior
• the scientific study of life on Earth

In the scientific process, forming a hypothesis is often immediately followed by what step?

• publishing the results in a scientific journal
• conducting a peer review of the hypothesis
• testing the hypothesis by conducting an experiment
• drawing conclusions about the hypothesis

Which of the following is true about the impact of science on society?

• New technology created by science sometimes causes problems.
• The impact of science on society is always positive.
• Scientific knowledge does not help us understand the world.
• Science never has any impact on society.

If experimental results do not support a hypothesis, what may happen?

• The hypothesis will become theory.
• The hypothesis may be changed or discarded.
• The hypothesis will be published in a scientific journal.
• The scientist who developed it may resign his position.

What area of Earth science is likely to involve the study of climate?

• geology
• biology
• astrology
• meteorology

By tracking celestial movements, the ancient Maya were able to ____.

• create accurate calendars.
• invent astrology.
• develop the scientific process.
• figure out geometry.

What do scientists use to simulate conditions in the natural world?

• trial and error
• conceptual and physical models
• geology and meteorology
• books and records

Scientific measurement is based on

• precision and accuracy.
• climate and weather conditions.
• independent and dependent variables.
• trial and error.