Midterm #1 ENVR Science

chapters 1,6,7,2,3,4

Scientific Method

A step-by-step process used by scientists to ask questions, test hypotheses through experiments, collect data, and draw conclusions.

Theory

A well-tested explanation of how and why something happens, supported by lots of scientific evidence.

Independent Variable

….is the variable that we think causes the effect.

OR the factor YOU change.

Dependent Variable

Is the variable that we are testing or observing. OR the factor you MEASURE (dependent variable= EFFECT)

Control Variable

Things kept the same to make the test fair.

Null Hypothesis

(H0) says that there is NO relationship between variables. “Null= nothing happens”

Alternative Hypothesis ( or usually just called a hypothesis)

(Ha) A statement that says there IS a relationship “Alternative= An effect exists”

Manipulative experiments

An experiment where the scientist changes ONE variable to see its effects “Manipulative = make a change”

Observational Experiment

A study where the scientist observes and records what happens without changing variables

Ecosystem Goods

Useful products we get from nature: “Goods= Things you get” —> food, fresh water, wood, and medicine.

Ecosystem Services

Natural processes that benefit humans and support life.

Examples: pollination, water purification, climate regulation.

Sustainability (sustainable development) definition

Meeting our needs today without preventing future generations from meeting their own needs. “use wisely today, save for tmwr”

Environmental Science

The scientific study of the environment and how humans interact with it.

Environmentalism

The movement to protect the environment and reduce environmental damage.

Peer Review

A process where other scientists evaluate a study before it is published to check its accuracy, quality, and validity.

Ethics

Principles that help us decide what is RIGHT and WRONG when decisions about the environment

Utilitarian or instrumental value

The value of nature is based on its usefulness to humans; for example, trees provide wood, shade, and oxygen.

“Instrumental = useful to US”

Nonmarket Values

Benefits from nature that do not have a direct price or are bought and sold in markets.

Example: enjoying a beautiful sunset, hiking in a forest

Intrinsic (inherent) value

The value of nature because it is valuable in itself, regardless of its usefulness to humans. Ex: protecting an endangered species bc it has a right to exist if it provides no benefit to humans. “intrinsic= valuable on its own”

Preservation ethic

The belief that natural resources should be protected and left undisturbed for their own value. ex. protecting a forest from logging so wildlife and nature can remain undisturbed. “Preservation = leaving nature alone”

Conservation ethic

The belief that natural resources should be used wisely and managed responsibly so they last for the future.

Example: limiting how many trees are cut down so the forest can grow back.

Gifford Pinchot

A conservationist who believed natural resources should be used wisely and managed for the greatest benefit of people.

Example: managing a forest by cutting trees while allowing others to grow back for future use.

John Muir

A preservationist who helped inspire the protection of wild places believed nature should be preserved even when it does not benefit humans directly. Ex: protecting Yosemite. “Muir= nature matters on its own

Economics definition

The study of how people use limited resources to meet their needs and wants. Ex: deciding how to decide limited $$, food, or energy among dif. needs

Neoclassical economics

The traditional view is that resources can be replaced, waste has little to no cost, and economic growth is important.

Ecological economics “Ecological = earth has limits”

Recognizes that natural resources are limited, pollution has costs, and protecting nature matters for the future.

External cost

A cost of producing/using a product that affects other people and the environment but isnt inlcuded in the deal with dirty air when though that cost isnt included in the price of the factory’s products “External cost= someone else pays”

Greenwashing

When a company falsely makes its product seem environmentally friendly to attract customers.

Environmental policy

laws and rules about how humans interact with the environment

Statutory law

laws written and passed by a legislative body.

Example: a law banning pollution in rivers

Tragedy of the commons

People overuse shared resources for personal gain—> resources become depleted. Example: overfishing in the ocean. “Everyone takes—> nobody has enough”

NEPA

U.s law requiring federal agencies to consider environmental impacts before making major decisions “NEPA= Laws”

EIS

A report explaining the possible environmental effects of a proposed project “EIS = impact report”

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency —> U.S. government agency that protects human health and the environment by enforcing environmental laws and limiting pollution.

Rachel Carson

Environmental scientist and author of SILENT SPRING- talks about how pesticides harm wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. her work helped inspire the modern environmental movement and stronger pesticide regulations.

Legislature

Makes and passes laws, including environmental laws, for example, passes a law limiting air pollution. “Legislature= makes laws”

Executive

Enforces laws through agencies like the EPA Example: EPA enforces pollution regulations “executive= executes/enforces laws”

Judiciary

Interprets laws and decides whether they are being followed correctly. Example: A court rules on an environmental law violation. “Judiciary= Judges’ laws”

Role of agencies in enforcing statutory laws

Government agencies make sure laws are followed by monitoring pollution, inspecting businesses, and issuing fines for violations. Example: The EPA checks factories to make sure they follow pollution laws and can fine them if they release too much pollution. “Agencies enforce the rules”

Cap and Trade

A system that limits how much pollution companies can release and allows them to buy and sell permits to pollute.

Example: A factory that pollutes less can sell its extra pollution permits to another factory.

Role of the UN in policy

The United Nations (UN) helps countries work together to create international agreements and policies to address environmental issues such as climate change and pollution. Ex: The UN helps countries agree to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “UN= Countries work together to protect the planet.”

Law of conservation of matter

Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only rearranged or changed into different forms.

Example: Decomposing leaves break down into nutrients that return to the soil

What defines an element

The # of protons in an atom’s nucleus determine which element it is.

Example: Carbon has 6 protons, oxygen has 8 protons

“Protons= Elements Identity”

what are protons

protons are positively (+) charged particles in the nucleus; determine the element. “Protons= identity”

what are neutrons

Neutrons (0) are neutral particles in the nucleus; add mass “neutrons = mass”

what are electrons

Electrons are negatively (-) charged particles surrounding the nucleus; they are involved in chemical reactions.

Ions vs. Isotopes

Ions: atoms that gain or lose electrons, giving them an electrical charge. example: sodium loses an electron—> positive ion (+) “ ions= electrons change”

Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with diff. #’s of neutrons. example: Carbon-12; Carbon-14 “Isotopes= Neutrons change”

Covalent Bonds VS Ionic Bonds

Covalent Bonds: Atoms SHARE electrons. example water (H2O)

Ionic Bonds: Atoms TRANSFER electrons, creating charged ions that attract example Table Salt (NaCI)

Hydrogen Bonds PH

Hydrogen Bonds: weak attractions between molecules, important for water’s properties, Ex. water molecules sticking together

pH= measures how acidic/basic a substance is (scale 0-14)

• Acid: pH= below 7

• Neutral: pH =7

• Base: pH= above 7

“covalent=share” “ion=transfer” “hydrogen= attraction” “pH=acidity”

Hydrogen ions (H+) and effect on pH

More H+ ions= lower pH (more acidic) .

Fewer H+ ions than water, so it is more acidic