The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution 7th Edition by James S. Monroe Test bank

 
53. What is the basic premise of the principle of uniformitarianism?
ANSWER:  The principle of uniformitarianism is based on the premise that present-day processes have operated throughout geologic time.The physical and chemical laws of nature have remained the same over time. Thus, even though the rates and intensities of geologic processes have varied during the past, the physical and chemical laws of nature have remained the same.
 
54. List two fundamental phenomena that indicate that the Big Bang occurred.
ANSWER:  Two fundamental phenomena indicate that the Big Bang occurred: (1) the universe
is expanding, and (2) it is permeated by background radiation.
 
55. What are Earth’s six principal subsystems?
ANSWER:  The principal subsystems of Earth are:
- atmosphere
- biosphere
- hydrosphere
- lithosphere
- mantle
- core
 
56. Describe the steps involved in the scientific method.
ANSWER:  The scientific method is an orderly, logical approach that involves gathering and analyzing facts or data about the problem under consideration. Tentative explanations, or hypotheses, are then formulated to explain the observed phenomena. Next, the hypotheses are tested to see whether what was predicted actually occurs in a given situation. Finally, if one of the hypotheses is found, after repeated tests, to explain the phenomena, then the hypothesis is proposed as a theory. A theory is subject to further testing and refinement as new data become available.
 
57. Provide a brief overview of the solar nebula theory.
ANSWER:  According to the currently accepted solar nebula theory for the origin of our solar system, the planets and the Sun formed from a rotating cloud of gas. About 90% of the material was concentrated in the central part of the disk, thus forming an embryonic Sun, around which swirled a rotating cloud of material called a solar nebula. Within this solar nebula were localized eddies in which gases and solid particles condensed. During the condensation process, gaseous, liquid, and solid particles began to accrete into ever-larger masses called planetesimals, which collided and grew in size and mass until they eventually became planets.
 
58. Explain the connection between the rock cycle and plate tectonics.
ANSWER:  The connection between the rock cycle and plate tectonics is just one of many examples of how Earth’s various subsystems and cycles are interrelated. Heating within Earth’s interior results in convection cells that power the movement of plates and magma, which forms intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks. Movement along plate boundaries may result in volcanic activity, earthquakes, and, in some cases, mountain building. The interaction among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere contributes to the weathering of rocks exposed on Earth’s surface. Plates descending into Earth’s interior are subjected to increasing heat and pressure, which may lead to metamorphism, as well as the generation of magma and yet another recycling of materials.