Think like a Scientist
This process helps scientists explore observations and answer questions.
This branch studies rocks, fossils, and the history of Earth.
What is geology?
This Earth system includes all water, even water in the atmosphere.
What is the hydrosphere?
Our solar system began as a huge cloud of these two materials.
What are Hydrogen and Helium?
An underwater volcanic mountain that stays below sea level is called this.
What is a seamount?
This step uses the results to decide whether a hypothesis is supported.
What is the conclusion?
This branch studies weather and changes in the atmosphere.
What is meteorology?
This system includes all organisms and the environments in which they live.
What is the biosphere?
These two dense metals sank toward the center of young Earth.
What are nickel and iron?
This force from the weight of ocean water usually limits explosive underwater eruptions.
What is water pressure?
After collecting measurements, scientists perform this step to look for patterns in the data.
What is analyzing the data?
This branch studies interactions between organisms and their surroundings, including pollution.
What is environmental science?
This system extends from Earth’s surface down to its center.
What is the geosphere?
This force pulled the cloud’s material together as it collapsed.
What is gravity?
These two factors help determine whether a submarine volcano becomes an island.
What are magma supply and tectonic activity?
The application of scientific discoveries to practical needs is called this.
What is technology?
Astronomers use this main instrument to observe distant objects in space.
What is a telescope?
About this percentage of Earth’s water is salt water.
What is 97.5%?
Material thrown into space by a collision with a young Earth may have formed this object.
What is the Moon?
A species native to only one particular location is described by this word.
What is endemic?
Scientists used this process, beginning in 1907 in the lesson’s timeline, to help determine Earth’s age.
What is radioactive decay?
Marine biology is a sub-area of this field.
What is oceanography?
This type of crust is generally older.
What is continental crust?
This process builds larger bodies when small pieces collide and stick together.
What is accretion?
These early microorganisms can make their own food using chemicals released by volcanic activity.
What are autotrophic bacteria?