Climatic zones are often based on different types of vegetation that result from the prevailing climatic conditions
Considering such zones, what are some of the potential problems when using fossil plant assemblages to interpret ancient climates? What are some of the factors (geological or otherwise) that would influence your conclusions?
It would be difficult to determine the exact boundaries of ancient plant boundaries because geologies of certain areas may not have preserved plant fossils as well as others. Today, we can clearly see plant boundaries because they are on the surface, however, it would most likely be more difficult to see ancient boundaries when they are buried underground. Also, it would be difficult to account for species that are nonexistent today that may have thrived in unique climates that do not occur today or were transitional climates between climactic periods.
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A friend argues that if mass were really conserved he would never need to refill his gas tank. What explanation do you offer your friend?
A. The Law of Conservation of Mass does not apply to reactions involving combustion or explosion of matter. B. The atoms (mass) of gasoline are converted into exhaust fumes. C. The atoms (mass) of gasoline are converted into energy by the engine according to E=mc2. D. The oil companies make gasoline in a way that it gets used up so that we are always required to replenish it.
For a surface storm system to intensify, the upper-level low (or trough) should be located to the
__________ of the surface low. a. north b. south c. east d. west
Why do you think the government and people of the Netherlands have a big stake in curtailing global warming?
A) They don't have enough fresh drinking water. B) A rise of the sea level would threaten their dike systems and could cause a significant loss of land and developed infrastructure. C) They welcome global warming because it is so cold there. D) They rely on wind energy, and global warming might change the direction and intensity of the wind. E) They are responsible for causing much of the global warming and feel responsible.
If you are driving in a car and a tornado is still at some distance, you should drive ____
a. into a ditch and cover your head b. under a freeway overpass c. at a right angle to the tornado’s path d. parallel to the tornado’s path e. toward the tornado