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Ch. 1 Questions

3.) How do you think the principle of uniformitarianism accounts for occasional catastrophic events such as meteorite impacts, huge volcanic eruptions, or great earthquakes?

4.) In this chapter, we have suggested that Earth is a close approximation of a natural closed system, and we have hinted at some of the ways that living in a closed system affects each of us. Can you think of some other ways?

5.) In what ways do geologic processes affect your daily life?

Ch. 2 Questions

1.) When astronauts brought back rock samples from the Moon, the minerals present were mostly the same as those found on Earth. Can you think of reasons this might be so? Would you expect minerals on Mars or Venus to be the same, or at least very similar, to those on Earth?

3.) Identify which of the following materials are minerals and why: water, beach sand, diamond, wood, vitamin pill, gold nugget, fishbone, and emerald. Should a synthetic diamond be considered a true mineral?

Ch. 3 Questions

3.) How old are the rock formations in the area where you live and attend college or university? How can you find out the answer to this question?

4.) Choose one of the geologic periods or epochs listed in Figure  3.8 and find out all you can about it. How are rock formations from that period identified? What are its most characteristic fossils? Where are the best samples of rock from your chosen period found?

5.) Do some research to determine the ages of the oldest-known fossils. What kind of life forms were they?

Ch. 15 Questions

1.) Recall from Chapter 1 (see Table  1.1) that Earth and Venus are so similar in size and overall composition that they are almost “twins.” Why did these two planets evolve so differently? Why is Earth’s atmosphere rich in oxygen and poor in carbon dioxide, whereas the reverse is true on Venus? What would happen to Earth’s oceans if Earth were a little bit closer to the Sun?

4.) What do you think might have happened to mammals if the end-of-Cretaceous extinction had not wiped out the dinosaurs?