1.8演化、板块构造与气候变化
Section outline
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How do you know this isn't what the world is like?
::你怎么知道这个世界不是这样的?The natural world wouldn’t make much sense without the scientists have developed to explain the things that happen or that we observe. Without science , we might think that the world was on the back of an elephant that rested on a tortoise (an inquisitive person would then wonder what the tortoise is resting on). With science, we have theories. Some are essential for earth science.
::自然界没有科学家来解释所发生的或我们所观察的事情,自然界就不会有什么意义。 没有科学,我们或许会认为世界是在一只大象的背上,大象就躺在一只乌龟上(一个好奇的人会想知道乌龟在休息什么 ) 。 科学使我们有理论。 有些理论对地球科学至关重要。Three Essential Theories
::三个基本理论Scientific theories are sometimes thrown out when the data shows them to be wrong. Before plate tectonics theory was accepted, people thought that fossil organisms had spread around using land bridges. Although a land bridge across the Atlantic seemed a bit far-fetched, there was no better idea. Most scientists were relieved when they could toss that theory out.
::科学理论有时在数据显示它们是错误的时被抛出。 在板块构造理论被接受之前,人们认为化石生物已经使用陆桥到处扩散。 尽管大西洋两岸的一座陆桥似乎有点牵强,但并没有更好的想法。 当科学家们可以抛出这一理论时,他们大都松了一口气。But some theories account for so many phenomena and are so broadly supported by so many lines of evidence that they are unlikely ever to be disproved. Additional scientific evidence may reveal problems and scientists may need to modify the theories. But there is so much evidence to support them and nothing major to refute them that they have become essential to their fields of science.
::但有些理论却反映了如此众多的现象,并且得到了如此多的证据的广泛支持,以至于它们不可能永远被反驳。 更多的科学证据可能揭示出问题,科学家可能需要修改理论。 但有如此多的证据支持它们,而没有什么重要证据可以反驳它们,以至于它们已经成为其科学领域的关键。The Theory of Evolution
::进进理论理论理论Darwin’s theory of evolution has been under attack ever since Darwin proposed it. But nearly all biologists accept the theory and recognize that everything they learn about life on Earth supports the theory. Evolution is seen in the fossil record, in the developmental paths of organisms, in the geographic distribution of organisms, and in the genetic codes of living organisms. Evolution has a mechanism , called natural selection . People often refer to natural selection as “the survival of the fittest.” With natural selection, the organism that is best adapted to its environment will be most likely to survive and produce offspring, thus spreading its genes to the next generation.
::达尔文的进化理论自达尔文提出以来就一直受到攻击。 但几乎所有生物学家都接受这一理论,并承认他们对地球上生命所学的一切都支持这一理论。 进化在化石记录、生物的发展路径、生物体的地理分布和生物体的遗传编码中都可以看到。 进化有一个机制,称为自然选择。 人们常常把自然选择称为“适者生存 ” 。 自然选择最适合其环境的有机体最有可能生存并产生后代,从而将其基因传播给下一代。The theory of evolution maintains that modern humans evolved from ape-like ancestors. The Theory of Plate Tectonics
::热板构造理论理论The is the most important theory in much of earth science. Plate tectonics explains why much geological activity happens where it does, why many natural resources are found where they are, and can be used to determine what was happening long ago in Earth's history.
::这是大部分地球科学中最重要的理论。 热电板构造学解释了为什么很多地质活动发生在地球存在的地方,为什么许多自然资源被发现,并且可以用来确定地球历史上很久以前发生的事情。The Theory That Climate is Changing Due to Human Activities
::人类活动引起的气候变化理论The theory of climate change is a much newer theory than the previous two. We know that average global temperatures are rising. We even know why: Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas . In the atmosphere, greenhouse gases trap heat . This is like putting an extra blanket over Earth. Since more heat is being trapped, global is rising.
::气候变化理论是比前两个理论更新的理论。 我们知道全球平均气温正在上升。 我们甚至知道为什么:当化石燃料燃烧时,二氧化碳会释放到大气中。 二氧化碳是一种温室气体。 在大气中,温室气体陷阱热。 这就像在地球上加一个毯子。 由于更多的热被困,全球正在上升。There is very little information that contradicts the theory that climate is changing due in large part to human activities. Unless some major discrepancy is discovered about how the atmosphere works, the theory is very likely to stand. So far, the evidence that is being collected supports the idea and can be used to predict future events, which are already taking place.
::与气候变化在很大程度上是由人类活动引起的理论相矛盾的信息很少。 除非在大气如何运作方面发现一些重大差异,否则这一理论很有可能存在。 到目前为止,所收集的证据支持了这一理念,并可用于预测已经发生的未来事件。Summary
::摘要- Since scientific ideas must be testable and falsifiable, theories are sometimes tested and shown to be wrong.
::由于科学思想必须具有可测试性和可变性,理论有时会受到测试,并被证明是错误的。
- Many theories have held up against most tests over many decades. These theories may need to be modified but they are solid at their core.
::数十年来,许多理论一直抵制大多数测试。 这些理论可能需要修改,但它们的核心是坚实的。
- Three essential theories for Earth Science are the theory of evolution, the theory of plate tectonics, and the theory that human activities are altering Earth’s climate.
::地球科学的三个基本理论是进化理论,板块构造学理论,以及人类活动正在改变地球气候的理论。
Review
::回顾1. Scientists are reluctant to say that any theory is absolutely true. Why do you think that is?
::1. 科学家不愿意说任何理论都是绝对真实的。2. Why would a scientist determine that a theory is incorrect?
::2. 科学家为什么确定理论不正确?3. What are the three essential theories in Earth science as stated here?
::3. 如本文所述,地球科学的三个基本理论是什么?Explore More
::探索更多Use these resources to answer the questions that follow.
::利用这些资源回答下面的问题。- Briefly explain the theory of evolution.
::简要解释进化理论
- Why is evolution by natural selection called the unifying theory of biology?
::为什么自然选择的进化 被称为统一生物学理论?
- How many experiments have been done that show evolution not to be true?
::做了多少次实验 显示进化并不是真的?
- Is it likely that scientists will unearth something that will show the theory of evolution to be false?
::科学家会不会发现一些东西 显示进化理论是虚假的呢?
- How does the process of evolution differ from the theory of evolution?
::进化过程与进化理论有何不同?
- Briefly explain the theory of climate change as mentioned here.
::简要解释一下这里提到的气候变化理论。
- What evidence is there for this theory?
::这个理论有什么证据?
- Most people, including scientists, do not call this a theory. Why not? Do you think it should be called a theory? Would calling it a theory saddle it with the same air of uncertainty that follows the theory of evolution?
::大多数人,包括科学家在内,都认为这不是一种理论。为什么不呢?你认为它应该被称为理论吗?你认为它应该被称为理论吗?它应该被称为理论吗?它是否配有与进化理论相同的不确定空气?
- Since scientific ideas must be testable and falsifiable, theories are sometimes tested and shown to be wrong.
