Final Exam Environmental

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What is fossil fuels?

Remainder of a dead, ancient organism that’s been maintained in rock layers that can later be turned into fuel by burning it—releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

What is crude oil (petroleum) used for?

Used for energy which depending on the heat when furnaced, produces other oils like diesel and petroleum gas (depending on temperature) to power transportation vehicles. Also helps make plastic and rubber.

What is coal used for?

Used for energy whether for manufacturing purposes, electricity, and steel production.

What is natural gas used for?

Used for many energy sources like fueling homes, factories, power plants, and even cooking.

What is the Four Fossil Fuels?

Peat, Natural Gas, Coal, and Crude Oil (Petroleum)

What is peat?

Not a commonly used fuel.

How are fossil fuels used to generate electricity?

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbon deposits derived from the carbon-rich remains of ancient

plants and animals, combusted and used as fuel.

Carbon Cycle - Solid

Decomposes and continues the cycle

Carbon Cycle - Water

Dissolved carbon dioxide reacts with water

Carbon Cycle - Air

Carbon dioxide released by respiration or combustion

What gases make up our atmosphere? List at least 5

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

• Argon

• Carbon dioxide

• Neon

• Methane

• Carbon Monoxide

What is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere?

Nitrogen (78%)

What is happening to the ocean chemistry during ocean acidification?

pH level is decreased, meaning the ocean is becoming more acidic because it takes in the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and when CO₂ is absorbed by seawater (H2O), a series of chemical reactions occur resulting in the increased concentration of hydrogen ions. This increase in H+ combines with carbonate ions, overall lowering the pH of the ocean.

How does ocean acidification affect marine organisms?

The marine calcifers like corals, clams, oysters, sea urchins, etc. that need those carbonate ions to form their shells is affected by ocean acidification. When pH levels dropping from the excess carbon dioxide absorbed into the seawaters, these organisms have a hard time using available carbonate ions. These shells help them survive, and since their numbers dwindle, the food web is effected because the fish that rely on eating these marine calcifers will also decrease due to lack of resources. Overall creating a domino effect and threatening the food web of its biodiversity.

What is the Greenhouse Effect? (simple)

The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space, which keeps the planet warm. The Earth needs to keep the right balance of greenhouse gases to maintain just right temperature for living things.

What is actually happening for the Greenhouse Effect? (Specific)

Most solar radiation from the sun is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and warms it. The solar radiation passes through the clean atmosphere, while some solar radiation is reflected by the Earth and the atmosphere. Some of the infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere, and some is absorbed and re-emitted in all molecules. The effect of this is to warm the earth’s surface and the lower atmosphere. Infrared radiation is emitted from the Earth’s surface.

What do the greenhouse gases actually do?

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) act as an atmospheric blanket, absorbing and trapping infrared radiation (heat) emitted from the Earth’s surface and re-radiating it in all directions, including back toward the surface. Since the GHGs have an uneven number of atoms as a property, it is activated by absorbing heat energy radiating from the warmed surface of the planet—radiating heat energy.

What are the effects of climate change/global warming?

What is a turbine?

Turbines are machines that convert energy from an unusable form, such as wind, water, or steam, into a usable form, typically electricity

What is Photovoltaic?

A cell that when light strikes the cell, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms, allowing them to flow, which creates electricity.

What, at the most basic level, is electricity?

Electrons flowing

How do power plants generate electricity?

Power plants generate electricity primarily by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using a generator, usually driven by a turbine

How passive solar design is different from renewable energy production?

Passive solar design uses building architecture—orientation, windows, and materials—to naturally heat, cool, and light spaces without mechanical systems. Conversely, renewable energy production (active solar) uses technology like PV panels to convert sunlight into electricity.

How solar panels operate differently from conventional power generation?