STUDY GUIDE FOR EXAM 1_ INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY

Scientific Method

The process by which scientists collect data from the natural world to answer questions.

Hypothesis

A tentative, testable statement about general phenomena observed, or an initial idea of how or why things happen in nature.

Scientific Theory

A structure of ideas that explains a wide range of observations, supported by evidence, and rigorously tested and revised.

Geology

The scientific study of the structure and composition of the Earth, including the ocean floor and processes such as plate tectonics.

Chemistry

The branch of science that examines the composition, properties, and behavior of matter, relevant to oceanic studies such as seawater chemistry.

Biology

The scientific study of living organisms, including their interactions and adaptations in marine ecosystems.

Physics

The branch of science concerned with the study of matter, energy, and the forces acting on them, including ocean currents and waves.

Astronomy

The study of celestial bodies and the universe, helping to understand solar influences on Earth's oceans.

Convection

The process where warmer, less dense materials rise, and cooler, denser materials sink, driving the movement of tectonic plates.

Density

The mass of a substance per unit volume, affecting how materials interact, such as sinking or floating.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in volume of water as it warms, leading to rising sea levels.

Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates move apart, leading to the formation of new oceanic crust.

Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, potentially leading to subduction and the formation of mountains and trenches.

Transform Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where two plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Paleomagnetism

The study of the magnetic properties of rocks, used to determine the history of Earth's magnetic field and plate movements.

Hydrothermal Vents

Underwater openings in the sea floor that emit hot, mineral-rich water, supporting unique ecosystems.

Seafloor Spreading

The process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges as magma rises to the surface.