Universe & Solar System
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The idea that the universe began as a singularity and has been expanding ever since.
What are the three main layers of Earth?
Crust, mantle, and core.
What human activity releases the most CO₂?
Burning fossil fuels.
What’s the first step in solving a design problem?
Defining the problem clearly.
What is a nebula?
A cloud of gas and dust where stars are born.
What causes the seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth’s axis as it orbits the Sun.
What is the asthenosphere?
A semi-fluid layer of the mantle that tectonic plates move on.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere by gases like CO₂ and methane.
Why do engineers test multiple solutions?
To find the most effective and practical solution.
What happens during a solar eclipse?
The Moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth.
Why does the Moon change phases?
Because of the Moon's position relative to the Earth and Sun, affecting the amount of sunlight we see.
Which process forms igneous rock?
Cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
What causes sea level rise?
Melting glaciers and thermal expansion of ocean water.
What tool is used to monitor volcanoes?
Seismometers.
What is sedimentary rock and how does it form?
Rock formed by compaction and cementation of sediments.
What is redshift, and what does it tell us?
Redshift is the stretching of light from distant galaxies, showing the universe is expanding.
What kind of plate boundary causes earthquakes?
Transform boundaries.
How does deforestation affect climate?
It increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and reduces carbon absorption.
What is a limitation of computer climate models?
They can’t fully predict natural variability or future human behavior.
What evidence supports plate tectonics?
Fossil distribution, matching coastlines, and earthquake/volcano patterns.
What determines a star’s lifecycle?
Its mass.
What causes Earth’s magnetic field?
Convection of molten iron in the outer core.
What are the consequences of groundwater overuse?
Sinkholes and depletion of aquifers.
Why do we use satellites to study Earth’s systems?
They provide global data and continuous observation.
Name two renewable and two nonrenewable energy sources.
Renewable: solar, wind. Nonrenewable: coal, oil.