EVR EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How do scientists study the natural world? - Answers :they investigate the natural world
using a transparent method of inquiry, and their findings are evaluated by other
scientists.
What is science? - Answers :a body of knowledge based on the study of nature.
Empirical Evidence - Answers :information gathered via observation of physical
phenomena.
Scientific Method - Answers :procedure scientists use to empirically test a hypothesis.
Inferences - Answers :conclusions drawn based on observations.
Hypothesis - Answers :an inference that proposes a possible explanation for what we
have observed and is based on some previous knowledge.
Peer Review - Answers :a process whereby researchers submit a report of their work to
outside experts who evaluate the study's design and results to determine whether it is of
high enough quality to publish.
Theory - Answers :a widely accepted explanation of a natural phenomenon that has
been extensively and rigorously tested scientifically.
Experimental Study - Answers :research that manipulates a variable in a test group and
compares the response to that of a control group that was not exposed to the same
variable.
Independent Variable - Answers :the variable in an experiment that a researcher
manipulates or changes to see if the change produces an effect.
Dependent Variable - Answers :the variable in an experiment that is evaluated to see if
it changes due to the conditions of the experiment.
Test Group - Answers :the group in the experimental study thats is manipulated such
that it differs from the control group in only one way.
Control Group - Answers :the group in an experimental stud to which the test group's
results are compared.
Correlation - Answers :two things occurring together but not necessarily having a cause-
and-effect relationship.
Identify at least one action we could take as a society to follow each of the four
characteristics of a sustainable ecosystem. - Answers :1. Rely on renewable energy -
, we should move away from fossil fuels and increase our use of sustainable energy
sources like solar, wind, geothermal or biomass based fuels (that are not harvested
faster than they grow).
2. Use matter sustainably - recycling matter resources rather than throwing them away;
reusing products; transitioning to non-toxic alternatives from toxic chemicals and
industrial processes; improving product designs to reduce waste.
3. Population control - implement measures to reduce the population growth rate, such
that human populations do not continue to grow.
4. Depend on local biodiversity - use local resources whenever possible (e.g. food,
energy sources); use a variety of products or production methods, rather than relying on
one or a few (i.e. using a wide variety of energy sources that reflect local availability and
needs, rather than using the same energy source everywhere, i.e. fossil fuels).
What is the significance of the Anthropocene as a new geologic epoch? - Answers :If
we have indeed entered a new geologic epoch, it is evidence of the magnitude of
human impact and a warning sign that perhaps we should try to reduce that impact.
Why is it that many problems are considered to be wicked problems? - Answers :Their
potential solutions almost always come with trade-offs.
Consider the wicked problem of air pollution. Identify some of the causes and
consequences of air pollution. What are some possible solutions, and what are the
trade-offs that come with those solutions? - Answers :Air pollution can be caused by
industrial or vehicle emissions. It can also be caused by agricultural operations or
natural sources like volcanos. Reducing industrial air pollution could involve installing
pollution prevention equipment - this would cost money and might be passed on to the
consumer, but the cleaner air might decrease health problems, which could result in
savings to consumers and communities. Vehicle emissions could be reduced with better
pollution control equipment or higher mpg vehicles, or through programs to reduce
driving such as
carpools, public transit or bike lanes. The technological fixes could increase the cost of
a vehicle but, again, this might be offset by better health. Bike lanes might be fairly
inexpensive and could have the added bonus of increased physical fitness for riders.
Why do we fall prey to social traps and how can we avoid them? - Answers :Humans
tend to be short-term thinkers and often fail to consider the long-term impacts of their
choices. A better understanding of how the natural world operates (environmental
literacy) can allow us to at least better predict what the long-term consequences of our
actions might be, but it will take a collective effort, and political or societal will, to combat
social traps.
Why must ecosystems recycle and reuse matter? - Answers :No appreciable amounts
of new matter are received by Earth, so living things must use what is already here on
Earth.
How do scientists study the natural world? - Answers :they investigate the natural world
using a transparent method of inquiry, and their findings are evaluated by other
scientists.
What is science? - Answers :a body of knowledge based on the study of nature.
Empirical Evidence - Answers :information gathered via observation of physical
phenomena.
Scientific Method - Answers :procedure scientists use to empirically test a hypothesis.
Inferences - Answers :conclusions drawn based on observations.
Hypothesis - Answers :an inference that proposes a possible explanation for what we
have observed and is based on some previous knowledge.
Peer Review - Answers :a process whereby researchers submit a report of their work to
outside experts who evaluate the study's design and results to determine whether it is of
high enough quality to publish.
Theory - Answers :a widely accepted explanation of a natural phenomenon that has
been extensively and rigorously tested scientifically.
Experimental Study - Answers :research that manipulates a variable in a test group and
compares the response to that of a control group that was not exposed to the same
variable.
Independent Variable - Answers :the variable in an experiment that a researcher
manipulates or changes to see if the change produces an effect.
Dependent Variable - Answers :the variable in an experiment that is evaluated to see if
it changes due to the conditions of the experiment.
Test Group - Answers :the group in the experimental study thats is manipulated such
that it differs from the control group in only one way.
Control Group - Answers :the group in an experimental stud to which the test group's
results are compared.
Correlation - Answers :two things occurring together but not necessarily having a cause-
and-effect relationship.
Identify at least one action we could take as a society to follow each of the four
characteristics of a sustainable ecosystem. - Answers :1. Rely on renewable energy -
, we should move away from fossil fuels and increase our use of sustainable energy
sources like solar, wind, geothermal or biomass based fuels (that are not harvested
faster than they grow).
2. Use matter sustainably - recycling matter resources rather than throwing them away;
reusing products; transitioning to non-toxic alternatives from toxic chemicals and
industrial processes; improving product designs to reduce waste.
3. Population control - implement measures to reduce the population growth rate, such
that human populations do not continue to grow.
4. Depend on local biodiversity - use local resources whenever possible (e.g. food,
energy sources); use a variety of products or production methods, rather than relying on
one or a few (i.e. using a wide variety of energy sources that reflect local availability and
needs, rather than using the same energy source everywhere, i.e. fossil fuels).
What is the significance of the Anthropocene as a new geologic epoch? - Answers :If
we have indeed entered a new geologic epoch, it is evidence of the magnitude of
human impact and a warning sign that perhaps we should try to reduce that impact.
Why is it that many problems are considered to be wicked problems? - Answers :Their
potential solutions almost always come with trade-offs.
Consider the wicked problem of air pollution. Identify some of the causes and
consequences of air pollution. What are some possible solutions, and what are the
trade-offs that come with those solutions? - Answers :Air pollution can be caused by
industrial or vehicle emissions. It can also be caused by agricultural operations or
natural sources like volcanos. Reducing industrial air pollution could involve installing
pollution prevention equipment - this would cost money and might be passed on to the
consumer, but the cleaner air might decrease health problems, which could result in
savings to consumers and communities. Vehicle emissions could be reduced with better
pollution control equipment or higher mpg vehicles, or through programs to reduce
driving such as
carpools, public transit or bike lanes. The technological fixes could increase the cost of
a vehicle but, again, this might be offset by better health. Bike lanes might be fairly
inexpensive and could have the added bonus of increased physical fitness for riders.
Why do we fall prey to social traps and how can we avoid them? - Answers :Humans
tend to be short-term thinkers and often fail to consider the long-term impacts of their
choices. A better understanding of how the natural world operates (environmental
literacy) can allow us to at least better predict what the long-term consequences of our
actions might be, but it will take a collective effort, and political or societal will, to combat
social traps.
Why must ecosystems recycle and reuse matter? - Answers :No appreciable amounts
of new matter are received by Earth, so living things must use what is already here on
Earth.
