In the previous essay I discussed some possible scenarios for the formation of the earth and some of the possible features of the earth and its atmosphere. Now I would like to look at changing conditions of the atmosphere and the earth’s surface that allowed life to be created and survive. Before life forms could survive, …
Author Archives: Larry Baumer
Part V: The Early Earth
In a previous essay I discussed constructive and destructive geologic forces that continue to shape and reshape the earth. Today I would like to concentrate on the planet’s birth and early (prebiotic) conditions. My purpose here is to provide facts where facts are known and discuss various theories (possible explanations). There have been and still continues to …
Part IV: Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical cycles, as the name implies, are perfect examples of the fusion of concepts from various science disciplines. Principles of biology, geology, and chemistry are combined in these cycles. Each has important implications to all living inhabitants of earth. The hydrologic cycle, also known as the water cycle, is the simplest of the cycles I will discuss …
Part III: Constructive and Destructive Forces
With the recent devastating volcano in Hawaii, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss some natural geologic forces. Earthquakes and volcanoes are, in geologic terms, called constructive forces. They can cause great destruction but here’s the point: they bring new material (lava, magma, volcanic ash, etc.) to the surface. These fertile rich materials supply the depleted …
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Part II: The Nature of Science
In the last essay we learned about some of the earliest “branches” of science that developed and why. I also discussed a loose chronological order of scientific disciplines and named a few of the more prominent early scientists. I left one very important question unanswered. What is science? Once again we find no single answer that everyone agrees upon. But …
Part I: A Brief History of Science
One of the first questions I liked to pose to a new class was “what is science?” So I pose that question now. Two other follow-up questions were “when did science begin and what was probably the first “branch” of science to develop?” Let’s answer the last question first. Although there is no single correct …
Coming soon: The first of three essays on Science & Religion (with a possible followup on Covid-19 slipped in somewhere)
Part XXVIII My favorite classroom jokes (Groaners & Moaners)
I am repeating a post from a couple years ago as filler while I prepare a more serious essay on climate change. Hope you enjoy. To warm up, here are few biology/chemistry “play on words” groaners. In first year biology we usually learn three types of chemical bonds, ionic, covalent, and hydrogen. (In AP biology …
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Part I: A Brief History of Science
One of the first questions I liked to pose to a new class was “what is science?” So I pose that question now. Two other follow-up questions were “when did science begin and what was probably the first “branch” of science to develop?” Let’s answer the last question first. Although there is no single correct answer, many people agree …
XXX Topics (Vol. Three)
XXXI. As I was writing. . . . XXXII. Viruses with special emphasis on COVID-19 XXXIII. The Evolution of my Essays on Evolution Natural Selection and the Nature of Science Scientific methods and evolution Genetics/evolution Evolution & religion XXXIV. Climate change-can you tolerate more? A. Anti-climate/anti-science Groups B. Recent Happenings XXXV. Boone County …