1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
Oliga [24]
3 years ago
9

Why was Alfred Wegener's continental drift theory not initially accepted by the scientific community?

Social Studies
2 answers:
mrs_skeptik [129]3 years ago
4 0
The main reason that Wegener's hypothesis was not accepted was because he suggested no mechanism for moving the continents. He thought the force of Earth's spin was sufficient to cause continents to move, but geologists knew that rocks are too strong for this to be true. Alfred Wegener (1880-1930)
Except for a few converts, and those like Cloos who couldn't accept the concept but was clearly fascinated by it, the international geological community's reaction to Wegener's theory was militantly hostile. American geologist Frank Taylor had published a similar theory in 1910, but most of his colleagues had simply ignored it. Wegener's more cogent and comprehensive work, however, was impossible to ignore and ignited a firestorm of rage and rancor. Moreover, most of the blistering attacks were aimed at Wegener himself, an outsider who seemed to be attacking the very foundations of geology. Because of this abuse,Wegener could not get a professorship at any German university. Fortunately, the University of Graz in Austria was more tolerant of controversy, and in 1924 it appointed him professor of meteorology and geophysics.

In 1926 Wegener was invited to an international symposium in New York called to discuss his theory. Though he found some supporters, many speakers were sarcastic to the point of insult. Wegener said little. He just sat smoking his pipe and listening. His attitude seems to have mirrored that of Galileo who, forced to recant Copernicus' theory that the Earth moves around the sun, is said to have murmured, "Nevertheless, it moves!"

Scientifically, of course, Wegener's case was not as good as Galileo's, which was based on mathematics. His major problem was finding a force or forces that could make the continents "plow around in the mantle," as one critic put it. Wegener tentatively suggested two candidates: centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the Earth, and tidal-type waves in the Earth itself generated by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon.

He realized these forces were inadequate. "It is probable the complete solution of the problem of the forces will be a long time coming," he predicted in his last (1929) revision. "The Newton of drift theory has not yet appeared."

Wegener noted, however, that one thing was certain:

The forces which displace continents are the same as those which produce great fold-mountain ranges. Continental drift, faults and compressions, earthquakes, volcanicity, [ocean] transgression cycles and [apparent] polar wandering are undoubtedly connected on a grand scale.
Wegener's final revison cited supporting evidence from many fields, including testimonials from scientists who found his hypothesis resolved difficulties in their disciplines much better than the old theories. Climatology was one such discipline.
bezimeni [28]3 years ago
3 0

Answer:

The main reason that Wegener's hypothesis was not accepted was because he suggested no mechanism for moving the continents. He thought the force of Earth's spin was sufficient to cause continents to move, but geologists knew that rocks are too strong for this to be true.

You might be interested in
David believes that he is president of the United States and that there is a conspiracy to kill him. David's beliefs are example
NeTakaya

Answer:

Delusions; positive

Explanation:

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder in which an individual's thought pattern, behaviour and emotions are distorted. The individual often loses touch with reality. Someone having schizophrenia often witness any or a combination of the following symptoms such as hallucination, disorganized speech, impaired motor behavior, delusions.

Delusion is a positive symptom of schizophrenia, which involves the individual having an unrealistic belief that they are very important and as such some certain persons are after them to hurt them.

David's beliefs are examples of delusions that are considered positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

7 0
3 years ago
Which of the following suggestions is most likely to help you maintain and renew your emotional energy
irina1246 [14]
<span>The answer is A: Start your day by doing the things you most enjoy is most likely to help you maintain and renew your emotional energy.</span>
4 0
3 years ago
The president doesn’t like the idea of a national health care plan, but she supports the plan because most citizens prefer it. w
shusha [124]
B i this not sure hope this helps
3 0
1 year ago
1. Which description best shows the Supreme Court's power of judicial review?
PilotLPTM [1.2K]
1. D - the power to demand to hear a district court case before the apellate
2.B - it established that the supreme court had the power of judicial review with regards to act of congress
5 0
3 years ago
A demonstration by workers outside of a business where a labor disput is taking place is called
Lady_Fox [76]

Answer:

picketing

Explanation:

it's another form of protest

4 0
3 years ago
Other questions:
  • Which Native American people are thought to be descended from the Anasazi, or Cliff Dwellers?
    9·2 answers
  • Pls help thank you i will mark as brainlist
    6·1 answer
  • Sinjon is fluent in both english and french because his parents spoke both languages to him when he was a very young child. as a
    9·1 answer
  • According to the textbook, are women better judges of others than men are? 1. no. men are actually better judges. 2. no. men and
    13·2 answers
  • The environment, which determines whether or not a species can survive or reproduce in any particular location, is composed of t
    5·1 answer
  • A particular electrical signal being transmitted to a neuron is sufficient to generate an action potential. If the magnitude of
    5·1 answer
  • Children in the ________ stage can use abstract thinking to problem solve
    11·1 answer
  • Why dose the author mention that more than 500 American Indian tribes live in the U.S
    5·1 answer
  • What was the most important invention of the industrial revolution
    6·2 answers
  • What does a texan hero mean to you?
    13·1 answer
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!