Even before modern observations provided evidence supporting the theory of plate tectonics, people developed theories that the continents were once joined together. Using only maps, what did they observe?

people or scientist tend to observe the nature of the continents that described by jigsaw fit,geological similarity among the continents

  the   balanced   equation   for   reaction of   ca metal   with   o2 to   produce   cao   is as below

2 ca+ o2→ 2 cao2

  explanation

the reaction is   balanced     since the   number of atoms   in reactant side is   equal to   number of atoms   in   product side.   for   example   they   are 2   atom of   ca in   reactant   side   and   2   atoms of ca   in   the product side.

  the   process   is a   meet the   requirement   of   redox   reaction because :     calcium   is   oxidized   from   oxidation state 0   to 2+   while   oxygen   is reduced from   oxidation   state   0   to 2-

answer is: naturally occurring solid, inorganic compound or element is mineral.

minerals usually have crystalline form, that means than crystal constituents (atoms, molecules or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions.

for example magnetite is a mineral of iron oxide (fe₂o₃).

calcite is a carbonate mineral and the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (caco₃).

dolomite is an   carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate (camg(co₃)₂).