MTTC Earth and Space Science Exam Questions & Answers Latest Updated

Science - Answer the sum total of knowledge in any period of time, based on the current abilities of man to understand the world of phenomena, verified by observable data scientific inquiry - Answer The on going process of discovery in science Includes the diverse way in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence being gathered. Independent Variable - Answer One factor that the scientists changes throughout the experiment Dependent variable - Answer Factor that changes based on the change in the independent variable Controlled experiment - Answer Experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time. Scientific Theory - Answer A well tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results. Applied Science - Answer Designed to solve a problem Used by government and industry Steps of Scientific Method - Answer 1. Observation 2. Hypothesis for what was observed 3. Construct experiment 4. Test hypothesis 5. Analysis of data 6. Further testing 7. Hypothesis Variable - Answer Able to be changed Scientific Laws - Answer Found to be true Based on mathematics and quantitative First law of thermodynamics - Answer Energy cannot be created or destroyed Second law of thermodynamics - Answer Total entropy in an isolated system cannot decrease over time. Entropy - Answer Unavailable energy in a closed thermodynamic system. Molecules - Answer Smallest particles in a compound Group of atoms bound together pH scale - Answer 0-14 Low is acidic High is basic Middle is neutral Four forces of nature - Answer 1. Gravity 2. Electromagnatism 3. Weak Force 4. Strong Force Newton's first law of motion - Answer An object will stay at rest until an external force acts upon the object Newton's second law of motion - Answer Acceleration is based on two things. Force acting upon the object and the mass of the object. Newton's third law of motion - Answer For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction Electromagnetic Waves - Answer Move at constant velocities All the energy of radiation Electromagnetic Spectrum - Answer 1. Radio 2. Microwave 3. Infared 4. Visible 5. UV 6. X-Ray 7. Gamma Gradualism - Answer Processes that created Earth did not happen suddenly but rather a slow process over time. Lithification - Answer Pressure exerted by the top layer of sediments which compacts the bottom layers forming sedimentary rocks Regional metamorphism - Answer Metamorphism occurring over a large geographical area Usually occurs in areas of high orogenic activity Contact metamorphism - Answer Country rock comes in contact with high igneous rocks Isochemical process - Answer Does not alter the original composition of a rock Ex: Metamorphism Metamorphic Rock - Answer High pressure and low heat. usually no changes to the chemical composition Lithostatic (Confining) Pressure - Answer Pressure imposed by overlying material Pore-Fluid Pressure - Answer Results from the release of volatiles due to thermal energy. Direct pressure - Answer Forced to a certain direction due to orogenesis Rock - Answer naturally forming, inorganic material composed of two or more minerals found in Earth's crust Chemical Weathering - Answer Changes due to the release of chemical ions or salts. Size of sediments - Answer Identification technique Related to the energy of the medium that transported them. Shale - Answer Represents almost half of all sedimentary rocks Formed of mud and/or clay Limestone - Answer Most abundant sedimentary rock Formed from calcium carbonate Graded Bedding - Answer Larger particles on bottom, smaller on top Formed when material is rapidly deposited into a body of water Stratification - Answer Layering of different materials Alluvial Fans - Answer Sediment is dumped and spreads out Occurs when water carrying sediment reaches a basin