Exam 3 Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and significant topics related to chapters 13-16 from the exam review.

Indoor Air Pollution

The most deadly sources of air pollution indoors in developed countries.

Smog in Los Angeles (1950s)

Contributed to by increased automobile emissions and industrial pollutants.

CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)

A compound used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and aerosol propellants that can deplete the ozone layer.

Sources of CFCs

Aerosol sprays, refrigerants, and foam-blowing agents.

Photochemical Smog

A type of air pollution created when sunlight reacts with pollutants such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

Industrial Smog

Air pollution originating from industrial activity, primarily coal-burning.

Temperature increase in Stratosphere

Due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of winds due to Earth's rotation, affecting global wind patterns.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty aimed at phasing out substances that deplete the ozone layer.

Components of Earth’s Atmosphere

Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gases.

Largest Component of Earth's Atmosphere

Nitrogen, making up about 78%.

Acidic Deposition

Precipitation that has a lower pH due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Residence Time (pollutants)

The duration a pollutant remains in the atmosphere.

Radon

A naturally occurring radioactive gas linked to lung cancer.

Secondary Air Pollutant

Pollutants formed by the transformation of primary pollutants; an example is ozone.

Dust Storms in 1930s USA

Result of severe drought and poor farming practices.

Factors Contributing to Climate Change

Greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and industrial activities.

Global Warming and Sea Level Rise

Global warming causes thermal expansion and melting of ice caps, leading to rising sea levels.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in volume of water as it warms.

Milankovitch Cycles

Long-term variations in Earth's orbit that affect climate patterns.

Proxy (climate science)

Indirect evidence used to infer past climate conditions, such as tree rings or ice cores.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar Energy Reflection

About 30% of solar energy is reflected back into the atmosphere.

Solar Energy Absorption

About 70% of solar energy is absorbed by the Earth.

Feedback Loop (climate change)

A process that amplifies or dampens climatic changes; for example, melting ice reduces reflectivity, leading to further warming.

Carbon Storage in Oceans vs Atmosphere

Oceans hold about 38,000 gigatons of carbon, while the atmosphere holds about 3,000 gigatons.

Greenhouse Effect

The trapping of heat in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, essential for maintaining Earth's temperature.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

A body established to provide information on climate change.

Sources of Carbon Dioxide

Combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and land use changes.

Renewable vs Nonrenewable Energy

Renewables are sustainable resources like solar and wind, while nonrenewables include coal and oil.

Nuclear Power

Considered nonrenewable due to limited uranium supply.

Crude Oil

A liquid fossil fuel consisting of hydrocarbons, extracted from the earth.

Chernobyl Disaster

A catastrophic nuclear accident that resulted in severe environmental contamination.

Natural Gas

A fossil fuel primarily composed of methane.

Opposition to Oil Pipelines

Concerns regarding environmental impact, spills, and indigenous rights.

Keystone XL Pipeline

A proposed oil pipeline from Canada to Nebraska, facing environmental opposition.

Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing)

A method of extracting oil and gas from the ground by injecting high-pressure fluid.

Oil Refinery

A facility that processes crude oil into usable products like gasoline.

Country Leading in Energy Production

China is the top energy producer by percentage.

Country Leading in Nuclear Power Capacity

The United States leads in total nuclear power generation capacity.

Potential Ocean Energy Source

Tidal energy, harnessed from ocean tides.

Advantages of Solar Power

Renewable, reduces electricity bills, low environmental impact.

Disadvantages of Solar Power

Intermittent energy source, high initial costs.

Common US Geothermal Power Areas

The western United States, particularly in California and Nevada.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Produce

Water and electricity as byproducts.

Major Renewable Energy Source in US

Wind energy currently leads in renewable energy production.

How a Wind Turbine Works

By converting wind kinetic energy into mechanical energy to generate electricity.

US Population Increase in 1800s

Driven by industrialization, immigration, and agricultural expansion.

Most Used Renewable Energy Source in the World

Hydropower is the most widely utilized renewable energy.

Concentrated Solar Power Facility

A facility that uses mirrors to focus sunlight to heat a fluid, producing steam for electricity generation.

Advantages of Hydrogen as Power Source

Abundant, emits only water as a byproduct.

Disadvantages of Hydrogen as Power Source

High production costs and storage challenges.