Assignment task:
How would you reply? Observation: Scientists make observations of geological features, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the distribution of mountain ranges and oceanic basins.
Hypothesis: Based on their observations, scientists form a hypothesis about how these features are related and how they might have formed. In the case of plate tectonics, scientists hypothesize that the Earth's surface is made up of moving plates.
Experimentation: Scientists conduct experiments to test their hypothesis, such as measuring plate movements and analyzing rock samples from different locations.
Data Analysis: The data obtained from experiments is analyzed and compared to the original hypothesis. This allows scientists to determine if their hypothesis is supported or if they need to modify it.
Conclusion: Based on the evidence gathered and analyzed, scientists reach a conclusion about the validity of the hypothesis. In the case of plate tectonics, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the theory.