Energy Transfer and Transformation in Earth's Systems

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to energy transfer and transformation in Earth's ecosystems, including processes within the water cycle, the impact of human activities on the environment, and the significance of thermal energy.

Condensation

The process where water vapor cools and condenses around particles, forming clouds and releasing thermal energy.

Evaporation

The transformation of water from liquid to gas, absorbing thermal energy from the environment.

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of energy required to change the temperature of 1g of a substance by 1°C, indicating how well a substance can store thermal energy.

Transpiration

The process by which plants absorb water from the ground and release it into the atmosphere as vapor, contributing to the water cycle and moving thermal energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy that an object possesses because of its height; in the context of water, it transforms into kinetic energy as water flows from higher to lower elevations.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, often exacerbated by human activities, impacting ecosystems.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Ecosystems located in water bodies, which can be drastically affected by temperature changes and human-induced climate change.

Nuclear Accidents

Unexpected incidents at nuclear power plants that release radioactive materials into the environment, having catastrophic effects on terrestrial ecosystems.

Coral Bleaching

The expulsion of algae from coral due to increased ocean temperatures, which may lead to the death of coral and the collapse of marine habitats.

Puffins

Their food started moving towards warmer waters and so did puffins causing them to abandon their young, less puffins make it to adulthood each year

Butterflies

After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant explosion the butterflies were affected. effects seen after 2 months and 6 months. mutations were getting passed down

Chernobyl Nuclear Plant

the nuclear plant exploded and for a 30km radius became unhabitable because of the radiation. there is life there now 30 years later but it may not be healthy