FOR TUTOR FAITH
edgar73
sci101.docxSCI101-1501A-08 Introduction to the Sciences
Task Name: Phase 5 Individual Project
Deliverable Length: 4–5 pages (not including Title and Reference pages)
Details:
Weekly tasks or assignments (Individual or Group Projects) will be due by Monday and late submissions will be assigned a late penalty in accordance with the late penalty policy found in the syllabus. NOTE: All submission posting times are based on midnight Central Time.
The final paper for this course has multiple sections. Please read the following carefully.
Review the comments from your instructor, and make revisions to your Phase 4 Individual Project. Add 200–300 additional words responding to the following questions in your final draft:
· How can science help answer questions about how—or if—people should be using nonrenewable energy resources?
· To support your answer, select 1 example (e.g., oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, oil in the Middle East, mountaintop mining in Kentucky), and explain the role of science in the decision-making process.
Add 1 additional reference. Be sure to include the reference as both an in-text citation and an entry on your Reference list.
(Here are the comments from the instructor)
"Hi Ricky: Total points earned (rounded): 110 out of 150 (73%). Task Requirements points earned: 26.25 out of 37.5 (70%). Demonstration and application of knowledge points earned: 57.75 out of 82.5 (70%). Academic writing and format points earned: 25.5 out of 30 (85%). Late Penalty: 15% Strengths: Good paper, well written. Opportunities for improvement: You didn't once mention Wegner anywhere in your paper. Also I would have like to have seen you cover the fossils in the Reasons scientists now agree to continental drift paragraph. I would like to see a little more on the ring of fire... Additional Comments: A good paper but late. You cited your references well
Geographic evidence supporting the theory of continental drift
There is so much evidence today that supports the theory of continental drift. Through scientific research, many scientists have looked into different facts which support the continental drift theory. Some of the pieces of evidence available include the ocean floor which demonstrates ruggedness. Some scientists have confirmed the repeated reversal of the magnetic field of the earth which confirms that the continents are drifting away from each other (University of Columbia, n.d.). A hypothesis of the spreading of seafloor and the oceanic crust recycling associated with it. In addition to this, the pattern of earthquakes and volcanic activity are concentrated along the oceanic trenches and submarine mountain ranges. These are located at the edges of the tectonic plates.
Reasons scientists now agree to continental drift but did not agree to it in the past
There are various reasons why scientists agree to the continental drift theory. Although scientist at first did not accept the theory about continental drifting, there is some evidence which confirm that the theory has a lot of sense in it. First, there is so much evidence which proves that the continents lie on very big slabs called the tectonic plates. The activity of the tectonic plates has been changing the surface of the earth over a long period of time (University of Columbia, n.d.). There has been a significant reshaping and rearrangement of land masses and it has also been confirmed that continents are still moving today. For instance, evidence shows that the continents such as North America and Europe are moving apart at the rate of 2.5 centimeters annually. The fit of the continents also act as perfect evidence to this theory. Also, fossils of shallow water reptiles have been found both in the African continent and in South America.
Process of the scientific method and theory development
Scientific method and theory development follows various steps. The order of the steps needs to be followed in order to ensure that the best results are obtained. First, the scientific phenomenon which needs to be explained is defined. The second step is data collection which is done through observations and experiments. After this, a hypothesis is developed which is then tested through collection of more data. After the hypothesis has been confirmed to be true, the scientific phenomenon then becomes a theory. The theory then be modified or rejected if new evidence contradicting it or supporting a better theory is available.
How Scientific Method Helps One Understand the Natural World
Understanding the natural world can be done through different criteria. One of these criteria is the use of scientific methods. Scientific method is an approach which is systematic and methodological and is helpful in understanding the nature of the world (Robson, 2002). Science is inquisitive of how different things work in the world. Through the systematic method one is able to come up with conclusions concerning nature. The application of scientific method involves the use of observation, testing, and interpretation of data through logical means to come up with confirmation.
Roles of qualitative and quantitative science
Qualitative and quantitative sciences have varying roles. Quantitative science deals with generalization but qualitative is contextualization. The purpose of quantitative science is casual explanation but qualitative is concerned with understanding the perspective of the actor. Quantitative also focuses on science impartiality while qualitative focuses on the determination of personal involvement and partiality.
How plate tectonics provides the mechanism for continental drift.
Plate tectonics provide mechanism for continental drift through different means. There is evidence of shallow water reptile fossils which have been found in South America and Africa (Condie, 2013). Also, the shapes of the continents confirm that at one point continents were a single mass but have been moving away from each other. Also there are plates which are under the continents which are able to slide.
How plate tectonics explain the process of continental drift
Plate tectonics explain the process of continental drift through different means. The theory suggests that the earth’s lithosphere is composed of plates. A segment of the earth’s lithosphere moves separately as compared to the surrounding. The movement involves three forces which are gravity, mantle convections, and earth’s rotation.
How plate tectonics explain natural landforms
Plate tectonics has been transforming landforms and changing how land surface looks like. Plate boundaries are landforms on the sea floor or the margins of the continents. Mariana Trench is a good example (Prentiss, n.d.). The formation of Himalayas was due to the Indo-Australian and Eurasian Plates collision. There is a ring of fire which is a series of volcanoes and catastrophic earthquakes which are experienced at the boundaries of these plates
References
Condie, K. C. (2013). Plate tectonics & crustal evolution. Elsevier.
Prentiss, D.,(n.d.). Plate tectonics around the Pacific Ocean. Retrieved from: http://earth.rice.edu/ on: 31st January, 2015.
Robson, C. (2002). Real world research (Vol. 2). Oxford: Blackwell publishers.
University of Columbia (n.d.). From continental drift to plate tectonics. Retrieved from: http://www.columbia.edu/ on: 31st January, 2015.
Comments:
"Hi Ricky: Total points earned (rounded): 110 out of 150 (73%). Task Requirements points earned: 26.25 out of 37.5 (70%). Demonstration and application of knowledge points earned: 57.75 out of 82.5 (70%). Academic writing and format points earned: 25.5 out of 30 (85%). Late Penalty: 15% Strengths: Good paper, well written. Opportunities for improvement: You didn't once mention Wegner anywhere in your paper. Also I would have like to have seen you cover the fossils in the Reasons scientists now agree to continental drift paragraph. I would like to see a little more on the ring of fire... Additional Comments: A good paper but late. You cited your references well. "
