Exam 1 Flashcards
What is Science?
The study of the natural world through observations and evidence. The overall goal is to discover patterns in the natural world and use this knowledge to make accurate predictions
What is the Scientific Method?
A process of experimentation used to explore observations and create scientific theories.
What is Observation (from scientific method)
The collection of scientific facts through our senses. If an observation is repeatedly confirmed, it is considered a scientific fact.
What is a Hypothesis? ( from scientific method)
A testable statement about our natural world that can be used to build complex interferences and explanations. Example: if_____ then,________ statements. Solar nebula disk model
What is Theory? (from scientific method)
a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of our natural world. Example: big bang theory, the theory of evolution
What are the fields in Oceanography? How are they used?
Some of the fields in Oceanography are geology (seafloor tectonics), geography (weather) ,biology (marine life),chemistry (density),physics (waves), astronomy (origin of water.
What are the earths 4 spheres?
Biosphere: all life on earth
Hydrosphere: all water on earth
Lithosphere: outer rocky layer of earth (100 km)
Atmosphere: envelope of air surrounding a planet
What is Cross-sectional view? Block diagram? Mercator map? Map Projection?
Cross sectional: view from side as if plane were cut in half (vertically) showing internal layers.
Block Diagram: 3 dimensional view
Mercator Map: map we know today distorts the size of objects from equator to poles.
Map projection: 2D view
What are the 5 main oceans from this course? List in order from largest to smallest
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic, Artic
What is the largest and deepest ocean? Why?
The Pacific is the largest ocean because it covers about 1/3 of earths surface and accounts for about 1/2 of the oceans surface. It is the deepest as well because it had the most trenches including the deepest trench in the world: the Mariana trench.
What is the smallest and shallowest ocean? Why?
The smallest ocean is the Arctic because it is mainly surrounded by land. It is also the shallowest because it has the most continental shelves.
Where does Earths main water come from?
Oceans, they make up 97 Percent of all water on earth.Remaining 2% is stuck as ice (polar/mountain regions). About 1% is rivers,lakes etc.
What is the average depth for oceans?
3800 meters or 12500 feet
How old are the oceans?
4 billion years old
How old is the ocean floor?
200 million years old.