Deck 1: The Origin of the Ocean

Question 1

The average depth of the ocean is about ____.

A) 760 meters (2,500 feet)
B) 3,700 meters (12,000 feet)
C) 200 meters (650 feet)
D) 1,200 meters (4,000 feet)

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The death of a star is characterized by a massive release of energy called a ____.

A) nebula
B) protostar
C) supernova
D) comet

Answer 2

C

Question 3

An example of another body in our solar system that has an ocean is:

A) the moon of Earth.
B) Europa.
C) Mars.
D) none of these.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The most abundant form of matter in the universe appears to be:

A) water molecules.
B) planets and planet-like bodies.
C) dust and debris.
D) hydrogen.

Question 5

All of the following statements are true about the formation of our solar system and planet EXCEPT:

A) As a nebula contracts, stars are formed in the center of the spinning disc of gas and dust.
B) Planets form as gases and materials condense.
C) The Big Bang occurred about 5.6 billion years ago.
D) Gaseous planets form on the outer regions of the solar system.

Question 6

The earliest known fossils were discovered in northwestern Australia and resemble modern-day:

A) bacteria.
B) animals.
C) fungi.
D) viruses.

Question 7

In the scientific method, scientific theories:

A) must be tested and verified by observations.
B) must be verified by the leading authorities in the field.
C) must be consistent with previous, universally accepted scientific concepts.
D) must be consistent with the fact that the ocean is of great age.

Question 8

About 1.5 billion years ago, oxygen began to accumulate as a byproduct of ____, drastically changing the composition of the Earth's atmosphere.

A) biosynthesis
B) cellular respiration
C) methane synthesis
D) photosynthesis

Question 9

The first life forms on Earth arose:

A) more than 3.5 billion years ago.
B) at the same time as the formation of the Earth.
C) relatively recently - about 250,000,000 years ago.
D) about 10,000 years ago.

Question 10

The world ocean:

A) plays a minor role in the weather and shape of landmasses of the Earth.
B) does not influence the way organisms live on land.
C) is the dominant feature of the Earth and most of its living organisms.
D) represents over half of the Earth's radius.

Question 11

To recreate an environment for biosynthesis, scientists included all of the following EXCEPT:

A) unstable chemical conditions.
B) oxygen.
C) sparks.
D) dissolved compounds and gases thought to be present in the early atmosphere.

Question 12

Life on Earth probably evolved in the ocean. All of the following evidence supports this statement EXCEPT:

A) the cellular makeup of all living organisms depends on a saline solution to dissolve and transport chemicals.
B) biosynthesis cannot occur without high concentrations of free oxygen, similar to the condition of Earth's early atmosphere and ocean.
C) the basic molecules of life (simple sugars and amino acids) form spontaneously in a solution similar to that of Earth's early ocean.
D) the thermal and chemical characteristics of water allow intricate biochemical reactions to occur, such as those required for biosynthesis.

Question 13

After Earth's formation, the planet's ocean did not form for nearly:

A) 13 billion years.
B) 1 billion years.
C) 4 billion years.
D) 200 million years.

Question 14

Evidence suggests the universe began about 13.7 billion years ago in a:

A) slow accretion of atoms.
B) very large galaxy.
C) cataclysmic expansion of energy and matter.
D) protostar.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes biosynthesis?

A) The discovery of organic molecules in space.
B) The evolution of living organisms from simple organic building blocks.
C) The evolution of inorganic molecules in seawater.
D) Experiments that show that early organisms lived in an oxygen-free environment.

Question 16

Our sun and its family of planets were formed about:

A) 6,000 to 10,000 years ago.
B) 5 billion years ago.
C) 45 million years ago.
D) 40 billion years ago.

Question 17

The ocean originated from:

A) volcanic gases.
B) radioactive heating of the Earth's interior, and the heating of the surface by meteorites striking and melting the outer layers of the Earth.
C) capture by the Earth's gravity of water molecules in space.
D) volcanic gases, radioactive heating of the Earth's interior, and a barrage of icy comets or asteroids striking and melting the outer layers of the Earth.

Question 18

Based on evidence that supports the hypothesis regarding an ocean on Mars, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Mars has an ocean today.
B) Mars has an ocean, and it is probably hidden in vast caverns beneath the surface of the planet.
C) Mars may have had an ocean in ancient times, perhaps 1-3 billion years ago.
D) Mars may have had an ocean until very recently.

Question 19

Volcanic venting of substances including water vapor is called ____.

A) outgassing
B) fissure
C) fusion
D) condensation

Question 20

About ____ percent of Earth's water is found in the Ocean.

A)97.5
B) 71
C)67.4
D)30.1

Question 21

Gravity was important in the formation of our planet because it pulled dense metals such as iron and nickel inward, forming the Earth's core.

Question 22

Of all the planets in the solar system, the Earth is the only planet to currently have large quantities of liquid water on its surface.

Question 23

On a planetary scale, the ocean comprises about ________ of the Earth's mass.

A) 8%
B) 71%
C) 20%
D)0.02%

Question 24

Deep-sea fossils suggest that life evolved within the last million years.

Question 25

Planets other than Earth with liquid on or near the surface are _______.

A) nonexistent
B) less rare than we thought
C) extremely common but only in the form of water
D) extremely common but only as ice

Question 26

The universe began to form around 13 billion years ago.

Question 27

The primary physical property that sorts the Earth, ocean, and atmosphere is ____.

A) density stratification
B) radioactive decay
C) gravity
D) mass

Question 28

The inner core of the Earth is primarily made of__________.

A) magnesium
B) water
C) iron
D) silicates

Question 29

A galaxy is a huge rotating aggregation of stars, dust, gas and other debris held together by ___________.

A) nebulae
B) gravity
C) moons
D) vapor

Question 30

Scientists predict that our planet in its current form will exist for about another:

A) 5 billion years.
B) 1 million years
C) 500 million years
D) 13 billion years

Question 31

There is convincing evidence that there was once water on Mars.

Question 32

The average height of the continents above sea level is greater than the average depth of the ocean.

Question 33

The hypothesis that best explains how the universe was formed is called the ____.

A) Condensation Theory
B) Scientific Method
C) Outgassing Theory
D) Big Bang Theory

Question 34

Marine science draws on information from disciplines of geology, biology, chemistry, and physics.

Question 35

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding the scientific method?

A) Hypotheses can never be revised.
B) Hypotheses are commonly revised especially considering new technologies.
C) Scientific laws summarize experimental observations.
D) Science is a circular process.

Question 36

Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning the temperature of the ocean about 4 billion years ago?

A) The temperature was about the same as today's ocean.
B) The temperature was much colder than that of today's ocean.
C) The temperature was extremely hot as compared with today's ocean.
D) The temperature was only slightly warmer than today's ocean

Question 37

Evidence suggests that the first biomolecules or "living" molecules may have formed near:

A) the continents.
B) subduction zones.
C) the surface of the ocean.
D) mineral-rich seeps on the ocean floor.

Question 38

Scientific hypotheses are never revised or updated.

Question 39

The ocean is divided up into distinct natural divisions called oceans and seas.

Question 40

The ocean holds more than 97 percent of Earth's water.

Question 41

Describe the Big Bang theory.

Question 42

Describe the basic processes and timeline that led to the formation of Earth and its ocean and atmosphere.

Question 43

Discuss the early atmosphere and how it could have lead to the evolution of life on Earth.

Question 44

Describe the primary (or traditional) branches of oceanography and give an example of how modern technology has been used to advance our knowledge in the field.

Question 45

Explain what is meant by "one world ocean."