Compare and contrast the attempts by James Ussher and Lord Kelvin to measure the age of Earth. Explain what they
did and why it was or was not scientific. What will be an ideal response?
James Ussher studied the genealogy of the Old Testament to determine a date for Earth’s
creation. This is not considered scientific, as the records he used relied on spiritual stories
and revelations that could neither be confirmed nor denied.
Lord Kelvin assumed Earth was initially molten and calculated how long it would take Earth
to cool from that state. Lord Kelvin’s calculations were more scientific because they relied on
data about the size of Earth, the melting temperature of rocks, and natural laws about the
rates of heat loss. Although his answer was incorrect, his methodology was scientific.
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Which chemical class includes ethanol (a type of alcohol)?
A. teratogens B. mutagens C. carcinogens D. neurotoxins
Describe two ways in which sinkholes form
What will be an ideal response?
The authors of your textbook suggest that as a social category, consumption is an invention of
A) socialism. B) capitalism. C) political leaders. D) royalty. E) the feudal system.
Earthquakes at convergent plate boundaries can be
A. shallow focus B. deep focus C. intermediate focus D. all of the preceding