1. Identify the steps that make up scientific methods.

2. Distinguish between a hypothesis, a theory, and a scientific law.

3. List evidence for the big bang theory of the origin of the universe.

4. Identify the characteristics of the earth’s three major zones.

5. Explain how studies of seismic waves have provided information about the earth’s interior.

6. Define magnetosphere, and identify the possible source of the earth’s magnetism.

7. Summarize Newton’s Law of Gravitation.

8. Describe the earth’s revolution and rotation.

9. Explain why the seasons change.

10. Explain how the sun is used as a basis for measuring time.

11. Distinguish between latitude and longitude and explain how they can be used to locate places on the earth.

12. Explain how a magnetic compass can be used to find directions on the earth.

13. Describe the characteristics and uses of three types of map projections.

14. Define scale and explain how scale can be used to find distance on a map.

15. Interpret a topographic map.

1. State the principle of uniformitarianism.

2. Explain how the law of superposition can be used to determine the relative age of rocks.

3. Apply the law of crosscutting relationships to determine the relative age of rocks.

4. Summarize the limitations of using the rates of erosion and deposition to determine the absolute age of rocks.

5. Explain how the process of radioactive decay can be used to determine the absolute age of rocks.

6. Describe how index fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rocks.

7. Summarize the development of the geologic column.

8. List the major units of geological time.

9. Identify the characteristics of different geologic eras.

10. Identify the land masses that made up Pangaea.

11. Describe the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea.

1. Name the major divisions of the global ocean.

2. Describe the importance of oceanography today.

3. Describe the main features of the continental margins.

4. Describe the main features of the deep ocean basin.

5. Describe the formation of ocean-floor sediments.

6. Describe the chemical and physical properties of ocean water.

7. Explain how marine life alters the chemistry of ocean water.

8. Explain why plankton can be called the foundation of life in the ocean.

9. Describe the major zones of life in the ocean.

10. Describe three important resources of the ocean.

11. Explain the threat to ocean life posed by water pollution.

12. Discuss how wind patterns affect surface currents.

13. Explain how differences in the density of ocean water affect the flow of deep currents.

14. Describe the formation of waves and the factors that affect wave size.

15. Describe the interaction of the shore and the waves.

16. Describe the various forces that cause tides and that affect tidal patterns.

1. Discuss the composition of the earth’s atmosphere.

2. Explain how two types of barometers work.

3. Describe the layers of the atmosphere.

4. Identify the weather conditions that increase the effects of pollution.

5. Explain how radiant energy reaches the earth.

6. Describe how visible light and infrared energy warm the earth.

7. Explain the processes of radiation, conduction and convection.

8. Describe the global patterns of wind.

9. Describe some factors that create local wind patterns.

10. Explain how water vapor enters the air.

11. Explain the meaning of humidity and describe how it is measured.

12. Describe what happens when the temperature of air decreases at or below the dew point.

13. State the conditions that must exist for a cloud to form.

14. Identify the types of clouds.

15. Describe the various types of liquid and solid precipitation.

16. Compare the two processes that cause precipitation.

17. Explain how an air mass forms.

18. List and describe the types of air masses that usually affect the weather in North America.

19. Compare the characteristic weather patterns of cold fronts with those of warm fronts.

20. Describe how a wave cyclone forms.

21. Describe the stages in the development of hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms.

22. Describe the types of instruments used to measure air temperature and wind speed.

23. Describe the instruments used to measure upper-atmosphere weather conditions.

24. Explain how a weather map is made.

25. Describe the steps involved in preparing a weather forecast.

26. Explain how latitude determines the amount of solar energy received on earth.

27. Describe how the different rates at which land and water are heated affect climate.

28. Explain the effects of topography on climate.

29. Explain why city climates may differ from rural climates.