ISNS- Oceans chapter 1

If a hypothesis is supported consistently by different observations or experiments, it may be advanced to the level of a(n)

theory

The Big Bang is the currently accepted theory about the origin of the ______.

universe

Approximately ______ years ago, the Big Bang initiated the formation of the universe.

13.8 billion

A galaxy is composed of clumps of ______.

stars

The Milky Way is our ______.

galaxy

If a(n) _______ is supported consistently, it may be advanced to the level of a theory.

hypothesis

A rotating interstellar cloud of gas and dust is referred to as a ______.

nebula

The major changes in the state of the universe that occurred immediately after the Big Bang were in ______ and ______.

temperature; size

The most probable (original) sources of the water in Earth's ocean are ______. (Mark all that apply.)

-Earth's mantle, some of which is brought to the surface through volcanic activity

-continual addition of water from outer space

Approximately 13.8 ______ years ago, the Big Bang initiated the formation of the universe.

billion

The most important gaseous element to accumulate in Earth's atmosphere, which had to await the evolution of photosynthesis in order to exceed its loss to space, is ______.

oxygen

A(n) ______ is composed of clumps of stars, and one example is the Milky Way.

galaxy

The most widely accepted age of Earth is between 4.5 and 4.6 ______ years.

billion

The Milky Way is a(n) ______ composed of about 200 billion stars.

galaxy

The four eons: the Hadean, the Archean, the Proterozoic, and the Phanerozoic, collectively make up what scientists refer to as ______ time.

geologic

The origin of our solar system is attributed to the collapse of a single, rotating interstellar cloud of gas and dust known as a(n) ______.

nebula or solar nebula

Which of the following time periods is based upon the lunar cycle?

Month

Two potential sources of the ______ on Earth include the mantle and continual addition from outer space by icy comets.

water

Earth's tilt of 23.5 degrees as it orbits the Sun is responsible for the ______, which occur in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at opposite times of the solar year. (Hint: The answer is just one word.)

seasons

The evolution of photosynthetic organisms on the early Earth resulted in an increase in the levels of the gas ______ in its free or "pure" form.

oxygen

During the winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at which of the following locations?

Tropic of Capricorn

Which of the following is the scientifically accepted age of Earth?

4.5 to 4.6 billion years

Which of the following of Earth's radii is greater?

The equatorial radius is greater than the polar radius

Geologic time is divided into four major ______: the Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic.

eons or eon

Lines of latitude, also known as ______, are referenced to as the equator.

parallels

The two natural periods of time caused by the movement of Earth are the ______ and the ______.

- year

- day

Old maps are accurate in their north and south depictions of Earth's surface, but many are badly distorted by their east and west dimensions of geographic forms. This is because ____.

sailors have been able to calculate latitude since ancient times

If Earth's axis were not tilted, what would happen to the seasons?

There would be no perceived seasons on Earth and global day lengths and temperatures would be uniform.

Because lines of ______ rotate with Earth, 360 degrees in twenty-four hours, it is necessary to know the time of day and the position of the Sun or the stars relative to one's line.

longitude

The Sun is directly over the two tropics, Cancer and Capricorn, at two times during the solar year. These two dates are called ______.

solstices

GPS stands for __________________.

Global Positioning System

What is the primary force that causes Earth to have a greater equatorial radius than the polar radius?

The force of rotation causes Earth to have a greater equatorial radius than the polar radius.

The three states of water: ______, ______, and ______, are possible on Earth's surface because Earth's mean surface temperature is about 61°F.

liquid, gas, solid

To determine your line of ______, you would need to know the angle your location (line) makes with the equatorial plane at Earth's center.

latitude

The hydrologic cycle involves ______.

a constant movement of water into and out of reservoirs

Latitude can be calculated by measuring _____.

your angle in reference to the bright star, Polaris

The length of time that a given water molecule spends in any one of Earth's water reservoirs is called its __________.

residence time

It is necessary to know the time of day and the position of the Sun or the stars relative to one's longitude line because ____.

the longitude line rotates with earth, 360 degrees in twenty-four hours

The Southern Hemisphere is sometimes called the ____ hemisphere because it contains so much more than the Northern Hemisphere.

water

GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation is widely used because ______.

it is worldwide now and extremely accurate

The ______ Ocean is the smallest.

Arctic

Because Earth's mean surface temperature is about 61°F, ______ is able to exist as a gas, a liquid, and a solid.

water or H2O

The hypsographic curve indicates that only ______ percent of Earth's surface is above sea level.

29

The image depicts the ______ cycle.

hydrologic or water or H2O

Residence time is the average length of time that ____.

a water molecule spends in any one reservoir

Most of the world's landmasses are located in the ______ Hemisphere.

Northern

Rank the five parts of the world's oceans from largest at the top to smallest at the bottom.

1. pacific

2. atlantic

3. indian

4. southern

5. arctic

The hypsographic curve compares which of the following?

land and water elevation relationships