Uniformitarianism

1. Uniformitarianism • What is the “textbook” definition of Uniformitarianism? • What geologist first came up with the concept of using the present to study the past and when did he come up with this idea? • Lyell’s views about uniformity were in direct contrast to what popular beliefs? • Compare actualism and uniformitarianism

2. Biogeochemical Cycles • Define biogeocemical cycle • Are biogeochemical cycles considered open or closed systems? Explain. • What elements are the primary focus of scientists studying biogeochemical cycles? • What are the key concepts considered when studying biogeochemical cycles?

3. End of the Line for a Star Like Ours • Define a Main Sequence Star • Explain the relationship between a star’s mass and how long it will survive • How big is the Sun compared to other stars • What do you think will happen to the Earth and other planets in the solar system as the Sun grows to red-giant-star size with a diameter many times that of the Sun’s present size • How do gravity and the nuclear processes involved in a star’s energy production relate to the lifecycle of stars? • Describe the life cycles of stars based on their mass.

4. Formation of the Earth’s Atmosphere and Ocean • Summarize the three hypotheses for the formation of the atmosphere and ocean • Compare the age of the atmosphere and ocean • Compare the formation of the atmosphere and ocean • Describe how the atmosphere and ocean have changed over time

5. What is the Fate of Life on Earth • Why is it unlikely that life will continue until the end of the solar system? • What three problems will challenge the future of life on Earth

6. How Old is the Universe • When were scientists finally able to approximate the age of the Universe? • What tool enabled scientists to accurately approximate the age of the Universe? • Prior to this time, what range existed for the age of the Universe? • Why do astronomers think that the age of globular clusters is approximately the age of the Universe? Note: globular clusters are groups of stars all tied together by gravity. • Describe how scientists finally determined the age of the Universe. What is that age?

7. How Did The Big Bang Happen • What evidence exists to support the Big Bang Theory? • What tools are used to collect and test this evidence? • Why is the question “What came before the Big Bang” outside the realm of science? • Describe the first second of the Big Bang using a timeline? • What was the result of the Big Bang?

8. What is the Fate of the Universe • Who was the first person to really challenge the foreverness of the Universe? • What evidence did this person provide for a finite Universe? • Describe the three (3) scenarios for the fate of the Universe that were popular in the 1980’s. • What is the Inflation Hypothesis? • What does a study of white dwarf stars tell us about the Universe? (Note: White dwarf stars are old, cold stars). • What is the most likely scenario for the fate of the Universe and on what does this scenario depend?

9. Formation of the Solar System • Compare the five different theories for the formation of the solar system. • Describe some of the different methods used to date the Earth and the Solar System • Describe the Nebular Hypothesis

10. How Did The Moon Form • Compare Earth’s moon to the moons of other planets • Describe the early theories for the formation of the moon • Why were the Apollo missions so important in revising theories about moon formation • Compare Earth’s moon to the moons of other planets • Describe the early theories for the formation of the moon • Why were the Apollo missions so important in revising theories about moon formation

11. How Did Galaxies Form • Which came first – galaxies, stars, or black holes • Describe the “infant” Universe • Describe the ELS Model and the Megerer Theory of galaxy formation

13. Rubric • Power Point • 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide 3 pts • Includes Pictures 3 pts • Spelling and Grammar Correct 3 pts • Covers all topics on handout 3 pts • Includes information not found in articles 2 pts • Teacher • Engaging 1 pt • Considerate of Student Questions and Comments 2 pts • Student • Attentive 4 pts • Respectful of teacher and other students 4 pts

14. Rubric • Power Point • 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide 3 pts • Includes Pictures 3 pts • Spelling and Grammar Correct 3 pts • Covers all topics on handout 3 pts • Includes information not found in articles 2 pts • Teacher • Engaging 1 pt • Considerate of Student Questions and Comments 2 pts • Student • Attentive 4 pts • Respectful of teacher and other students 4 pts

15. Rubric • Power Point • 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide 3 pts • Includes Pictures 3 pts • Spelling and Grammar Correct 3 pts • Covers all topics on handout 3 pts • Includes information not found in articles 2 pts • Teacher • Engaging 1 pt • Considerate of Student Questions and Comments 2 pts • Student • Attentive 4 pts • Respectful of teacher and other students 4 pts

16. Rubric • Power Point • 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide 3 pts • Includes Pictures 3 pts • Spelling and Grammar Correct 3 pts • Covers all topics on handout 3 pts • Includes information not found in articles 2 pts • Teacher • Engaging 1 pt • Considerate of Student Questions and Comments 2 pts • Student • Attentive 4 pts • Respectful of teacher and other students 4 pts

17. Rubric • Power Point • 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide 3 pts • Includes Pictures 3 pts • Spelling and Grammar Correct 3 pts • Covers all topics on handout 3 pts • Includes information not found in articles 2 pts • Teacher • Engaging 1 pt • Considerate of Student Questions and Comments 2 pts • Student • Attentive 4 pts • Respectful of teacher and other students 4 pts

18. Rubric • Power Point • 3 – 5 slides + Work Cited Slide 3 pts • Includes Pictures 3 pts • Spelling and Grammar Correct 3 pts • Covers all topics on handout 3 pts • Includes information not found in articles 2 pts • Teacher • Engaging 1 pt • Considerate of Student Questions and Comments 2 pts • Student • Attentive 4 pts • Respectful of teacher and other students 4 pts