Show:
The Universe
Plate Tectonics
Geology & Climate
Sustainability
Grab Bag!
100
How are the terms "universe," "solar system," "galaxy," and "planet" related?
The universe is made up of many galaxies, a galaxy is made up of many solar systems, and a solar system is made up of many planets.
100
Demonstrate with your hands each of the 3 main plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, and transform).
Students should push hands together for convergent, pull them apart for divergent, and slide them beside each other for transform.
100
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes specific conditions at a specific place and time, while climate describes the general prevailing conditions in a place over an extended period of time.
100
What is sustainability?
A way of using resources which makes sure that they will never run out
100
What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?
A towel
200
Why does the Earth have seasons?
The tilt of the Earth's axis
200
What causes earthquakes? What kinds of plate boundaries are they at?
Pressurized rocks slipping free due to tectonic forces; usually transform or convergent
200
How do elevation, latitude, and ocean currents affect climate?
Temperature decreases as elevation and latitude increase. Ocean currents carry warm or cool water that affects the temperature of the surrounding air.
200
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources? Give two examples of each.
Non-renewable resources eventually run out, while renewable resources, if used correctly, can last forever. Non-renewables include coal, oil, and fresh water, while renewables include wind, solar energy, paper and other products from living organisms, and water energy, like what is used in hydroelectric power.
200
During which month do people sleep the least?
February. It's the shortest month.
300
Why does the Earth have daytime and nighttime?
The Earth rotates as it orbits around the Sun.
300
What causes tsunamis? What kinds of plate boundaries are they at?
One plate at an oceanic-continental convergent boundary slips free and pushes a massive amount of water away
300
Describe how each of the following is caused: hurricanes, floods, droughts, tornadoes, and forest fires.
Floods are caused by excessive precipitation. Droughts are caused when wind pushes rain clouds away from a place so that it doesn't rain for an extended period of time. Tornadoes are caused when dense cold air meets less-dense warm air and the competing densities start to spin around one another. Hurricanes are also formed by cold and warm air colliding over an ocean. Forest fires are usually caused by humans.
300
What is the ozone layer, and what are the chemicals that put it in danger called?
A layer of gas in the atmosphere that protects Earth from the sun's radiation; CFCs
300
A truck driver is going the wrong way on a one-way street. A police officer sees him but doesn't stop him. Why not?
The truck driver was walking.
400
How did the universe as we know it today begin?
Billions of years ago, all of the matter in the universe was compressed into a tiny space. Suddenly, it exploded and was scattered. This matter eventually formed planets, stars, and organisms like us. This theory is called the Big Bang Theory.
400
How are volcanoes created? What are the differences between shield, composite, and cinder cone volcanoes?
Volcanoes are usually created at plate boundaries. Shield volcanoes are low and created by lava slowly pouring out from a vent. They are the least dangerous. Cinder cone volcanoes are created when ash and other volcanic material piles up around a vent. Composite volcanoes are formed in many layers, and can have very dangerous eruptions.
400
What is the water cycle and how does it work?
Water is heated up by the sun and evaporates into water vapor. Water vapor condenses into clouds as it rises and cools, and when the clouds become too dense, liquid water falls down as precipitation. As it falls, water either enters the ground and becomes groundwater or runs downhill (runoff) until it reaches a body of water.
400
What are greenhouse gases, and why are we concerned about them? What are two examples of them?
Gases such as carbon dioxide or methane that trap heat from the sun. We are concerned about them because humans are creating too many of them, which is making Earth's warmer than normal.
400
What two things can you never, ever eat for breakfast?
Lunch and dinner.
500
How did planets form after the Big Bang?
Matter that was floating throughout space began to be pulled together by gravity. The gravity of these objects grew stronger as the grew bigger, and they became the planets, moons, asteroids, etc.
500
List the three main layers of the Earth in order from highest density to lowest density.
Core, mantle, crust.
500
Draw a diagram of the rock cycle. Use the following terms: Compaction, metamorphic rock, melting, cooling, metamorphic rock, igneous rock, heat and pressure, erosion, sediment, and weathering.
Diagrams should show sediment being compressed into sedimentary rock, then being subjected to extreme heat and pressure and turning into metamorphic rock, then melting, then cooling and turning into igneous rock, then turning back into sediment due to erosion and weathering.
500
What is climate change? List three possible negative effects from it.
Gradual increase in Earth's temperature due to an increase in greenhouse gases. Negative effects include sea level rise, changes in ocean currents, increase in number and severity of hurricanes, increase in drought, and harm to plants and animals.
500
There is an ancient invention still used in some parts of the world today that allows people to see through walls. What is it?
A window