The Way of Science

WRITE YOUR NAME ON THE BACK OF p.5.

1. Wegener pointed out many examples of the earth's surface contradicting the predictions of the old model. For each of the following items, describe what exists, and then indicate how these observations contradict a prediction of the old model.
   1. Ancient climates (10 points)
   2. Statistical distribution of altitudes (10 points)
   3. Distribution of mountains and volcanoes (5 points)
   4. Matches (all kinds) between the Atlantic sides of Africa and South America (15 points)
   5. Briefly discuss why Wegener's ideas were rejected for decades. (5 points)
   
   
2. Explain the Theory of Plate Tectonics to an intelligent 14-year old. Be logical! Be organized! Be detailed! (20 points)
   
   
3. Explain how data from paleomagnetism ("fossil" magnetism) led to acceptance of sea-floor spreading. (i.e., describe the pattern on the sea floor, and interpret it.) (15 points)
   
   
4. Demonstrate your familiarity with each of the following items. (5 points each)
   1. Convection currents
   2. Land bridges
   3. Pangaea
   
   
5. Why Plate Tectonics is important to science