Earth Science Final Review

In 1897, Joseph Thomson discovered that atoms contained electrons. He proposed a change in the atomic theory of that time, and the theory was modified because of his discovery. Since Thomson’s discovery, atomic theory has been further modified. What is the best explanation for why scientific theories are modified?

• Theories more than ten years old are usually out of date.

• Scientists want to prove that the work of other scientists is wrong.

• New evidence that supports a change prompts scientists to modify earlier theories.

• So much information is available today that it is harder to focus research and disprove theories.

Scientific theories are based on

• general assumptions of how systems work.
• mathematical principles that can be proven true.
• large amounts of data collected over time.
• observations from within only one scientific discipline.

Scientific theories do not change once they have been written down.

• True
• False

Which of these can change when new evidence is presented?

• theory

• law

Which of these describes a natural phenomenon or relationship that always occurs under specific conditions

• theory

• law

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Which of these can be represented mathematically and provide no explanation why a phenomenon occurs?

• theory

• law

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Scientists create both scientific theories and scientific laws as they make observations and conduct experiments about the natural world. Which of the following statements most accurately compares the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws

• science laws are based on evidence while science theories are not

• science theories involve only biology, while laws involve all types of science

• science theories involve mathematical equations, while science laws are based on observations

• science theories are ideas that explain natural events, while science laws predict what will happen in a natural event.

What is a theory?

• Describes what happens
• Explains a process

What is a law?

• Describes what happens
• Explains a process

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Which layer is the HOTTEST?

• Crust

• Mantle

• Outer Core

• Inner Core