What Is Questions

Outline a modern scientific worldview with respect to origins and structure of universe, Earth, life, humans, and flows of energy and cycling of matter in biosphere.

• 1. What general term do people who embrace a modern scientific world-view use to describe the "stuff" in the universe?
• 2. What is the periodic table and what does it reflect about the “stuff” in the universe?
• 3. What general term do people who embrace a modern scientific world-view use to describe the general framework within which we locate this "stuff"?
• 4. If the smallest phenomenon we describe with a contemporary scientific world-view is 1 unit across, about how many units across is the largest? (Express as a power of 10.)
• 5. What are the four fundamental forces according to those who espouse a modern scientific world-view?
• 6. Which two of these may we observe readily in everyday phenomena?
• 7. State a first law of thermodynamics and briefly explain its implications for human existence.
• 8. State a second law of thermodynamics and briefly explain its implications for human existence.
• 9. In what one or more ways can we use understanding of laws of thermodynamics to live better?
• 10. According to a modern scientific world-view how long ago did: the universe originate, Earth form, the last Ice Age end, life on Earth originate, the earliest humans live, Homo sapiens appear?
• 11. What did Dawkins mean by "selfish gene"?
• 12. In broad terms how does energy flows through the biosphere?
• 13. What are three important ways humans are currently affecting the cycling of carbon?
• 14. What are two important consequences of our growing impact upon the carbon cycle?
• 15. What are two other elements that cycle through the biosphere?
• 16. What is one way humans are affecting each of these cycles?
• 17. Define carrying capacity in terms of population, environmental quality, and time.