EVR Final Total Miniquiz questions

What is an example of deductive reasoning? A. Deductive reasoning | B. Inductive reasoning | C. Speculation | D. Manipulative reasoning

B. Deductive reasoning

The manipulated variable is also called the: A. Exciting variable | B. Dependent variable | C. Independent variable | D. Observational variable

C. Independent variable

A scientific hypothesis: A. Can never become a scientific fact | B. Is really just an educated guess at the answer to a question | C. Can never be the true answer to a scientific question | D. Is similar to a theory because it is based on numerous experiments

B. Is really just an educated guess at the answer to a question

An example of quantitative data is: A. Smell | B. Mass (in grams) | C. Taste | D. Sight

B. Mass (in grams)

Pseudoscience is: A. Untestable | B. All of the above | C. Lacks empirical evidence | D. Based on faulty reasoning

B. All of the above

Measurements allow scientists to: A. Make predictions | B. Disprove a statement | C. Visualize relationships | D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Like the scientific method, decision making using scientific data is: A. Dictatorial | B. Unilateral | C. A process of steps | D. Best guesses

C. A process of steps

Dr. Smith is stressed about waking up and making it on time to the airport in order to catch his plane. He sets the alarm on his digital watch (reads to 1/100 of a second) and arrives at 7:00:00.00am. Unfortunately, every other clock in the airport terminal reads about 7:20am. Dr. Smith is unable to make it through security in time and missed his flight. Which of the following is a correct statement about Dr. Smith's watch? A. It is accurate, but not precise | B. It is neither accurate nor precise | C. It is precise, but not accurate | D. It is a lost timepiece

C. It is precise, but not accurate

Measurements without an estimate of uncertainty are: A. Scientific | B. Accurate | C. Correct | D. Useless

D. Useless

A grand scheme that relates and explains many observations and is supported by a great deal of evidence is considered a scientific: A. Hypothesis | B. Prediction | C. Theory | D. Belief

C. Theory

In order to "think like a scientist" rather than "like a student" you should: A. View science lectures as absolute truths | B. Not question the material in textbooks | C. Be critical of what you read or hear | D. Consider science as a collection of isolated facts

C. Be critical of what you read or hear

Which of the following set Earth apart from other planets in the solar system? A. Earth is the only planet that has liquid water | B. Earth is the only planet that has water at its triple point (gas, liquid, and solid phases at the same time) | C. Earth is the only planet that exhibits plate tectonics | D. Earth is the only planet that exhibits life

A, B, C, and D are correct

Which statement is TRUE? A. Oxygen gas comprises 80% of the Earth's (dry) atmosphere | B. Liquid water forms the basis of all life forms on Earth | C. 3.5 billion years ago oxygen was found in high concentrations on Earth

B. Liquid water forms the basis of all life forms on Earth

Earth is unique. What process maintains the Earth as a habitable planet? A. Non-existent oxygen levels | B. Our atmosphere cannot block ultraviolet radiation from space | C. Temperatures that permit liquid water

C. Temperatures that permit liquid water

Nitrogen has a very high concentration in the atmosphere and is cycled very slowly into and out of the atmosphere. Water vapor has a lower concentration in the atmosphere and is cycled quite rapidly. What statement is true? A. Nitrogen has a lower residence time in the atmosphere than water vapor | B. Nitrogen and water vapor have roughly the same residence time in the atmosphere | C. Nitrogen has a higher residence time in the atmosphere than water vapor

C. Nitrogen has a higher residence time in the atmosphere than water vapor

What is an example of positive feedback? A. When it is too hot and you sweat | B. Exponential growth | C. When it is too cold and you shiver

B. Exponential growth

In this picture, what is the example of kinetic energy? The picture shows the light from the sun, a lion feeding on its prey, and a zebra running at full speed. A. Running zebra | B. Lion's food | C. Sun's rays

A. Running zebra

Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas? A. Carbon dioxide | B. Nitrogen | C. Methane | D. Water vapor

B. Nitrogen

The Coriolis effect: A. Causes the seasons | B. Causes the wind to turn to the left in the northern hemisphere | C. Is caused by the rotation of the Earth | D. Explains how hot air balloons work

C. Is caused by the rotation of the Earth

Storms are caused when: A. Warm air rises and cools, causing the water vapor inside to condense, form clouds, and then eventually fall as rain | B. Coriolis causes wind to swirl leading to strong winds fueled by the rotating Earth | C. Cold air sinks, bringing rain with it | D. Coriolis cyclones mediate a moist condensation long-wave energy transfer

A. Warm air rises and cools, causing the water vapor inside to condense, form clouds, and then eventually fall as rain

The Gulf Stream: A. Transports cold water from equatorial regions towards the north pole | B. Redistributes wind energy around the globe | C. Transports warm water from equatorial regions towards the north pole | D. Is a tributary of the Mississippi River

C. Transports warm water from equatorial regions towards the north pole

This equation represents what process? CO2 + H2O → CH2O + O2. A. Autotrophic respiration | B. Heterotrophic respiration | C. Photosynthesis | D. Cellular respiration

C. Photosynthesis

According to the concept of the "demographic transition", a population will go through a period of expansion, but later stabilize at: A. Its original number | B. At a lower level than original numbers | C. At a population larger than before the transition, but with zero growth | D. A constant rate of growth

C. At a population larger than before the transition, but with zero growth

Which of the following is not a major theme of environmental science? A. Human population growth | B. An urbanizing world | C. Sustainability | D. All of the above are major themes of environmental science

D. All of the above are major themes of environmental science

What process maintains the Earth as a habitable planet? A. Non-existent oxygen levels | B. Our atmosphere cannot block ultraviolet radiation from space | C. Temperatures that permit liquid water

C. Temperatures that permit liquid water

Which of the following are reasons for sea level rise? I. Thermal expansion of seawater | II. Melting icebergs | III. Melting glaciers | IV. Increased precipitation | V. Melting sea ice. A. I only | B. I, III, and V | C. I and III | D. All of the above

I and III

Which of these factors does not contribute to increased frequency of wildfires? A. Decreased precipitation | B. Melting sea ice | C. A century of fire suppression | D. Higher temperatures

Melting sea ice

Which statement is true about climate change? A. 25 years ago, many scientists agreed that the theory of climate change was supported by most of the evidence, but some remained uncertain | B. The fossil fuel industry has actively worked to create doubt even when the scientific evidence is clear | C. Today, an overwhelming amount of evidence has convinced almost all climate scientists that climate change is already happening, is caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, and will have dangerous consequences for ecosystems and society | D. All of the above

D. All of the above

Which of these are expected climate change impacts on Florida? A. 5-times higher frequency of very hot days (over 95 Fahrenheit) | B. Increased frequency of tropical diseases spread by mosquitoes | C. Sea level rise flooding the Florida Keys | D. Sea level rise contaminating drinking water in Miami | E. All of the above

E. All of the above

Which climate change mitigation plan could come with the highest potential for negative side effects? A. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions | B. Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere | C. Blocking sunlight from reaching the earth's surface | D. Adapting to specific impacts of climate change

Blocking sunlight from reaching the earth's surface

Climate is: A. What is happening now, or over a short time period, in the atmosphere near the ground | B. The average weather, usually referring to average weather conditions over long periods | C. The effect of greenhouse gases on the atmosphere | D. The thin layer of gases that envelop the planet | E. Measured by the height to which a column of mercury is raised by barometric pressure

B. The average weather, usually referring to average weather conditions over long periods

What pieces of the historical record can be used to piece together climates from the 1100s–1500s? A. Records of extreme droughts | B. Descriptions of frozen river events | C. Thermometer measurements of ocean temperature | D. Records of crop yields

A, B, and D

Many different techniques are used to measure temperature. Assessments of global temperature change must use these different measurements. How can researchers accommodate differences between measurement techniques? A. Make paired measurements using different techniques | B. Ignore all techniques that show decreasing temperature | C. Compare the trends found using different measurement techniques | D. Use only the most trusted measurement techniques | E. A and C

E. A and C

If we have an equal volume of air and water and increase both by the same temperature, which of the following statements is true? A. We have added an equal amount of heat energy to the water and the air | B. We have added more heat energy to the volume of air | C. We have added more heat energy to the volume of water | D. The heat capacity of air is higher than the heat capacity of water

Both B and D are true

Oceans play an important role in climate because: I. Two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water | II. Water has a much higher heat storage capacity than air | III. There are large net carbon dioxide emissions from the ocean. A. I only | B. II only | C. III only | D. I and II | E. II and III

I and II

Many scientists consider carbon dioxide the most important greenhouse gas because: A. It is the most potent greenhouse gas | B. It is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere | C. It is being produced by fossil fuel burning at a higher rate than other prominent greenhouse gases | D. It has an incredibly long life-time in the atmosphere | E. A & C | F. C & D

C & D

Which of these greenhouse gases is most abundant in the atmosphere on a humid day? A. Carbon dioxide | B. Methane | C. Nitrous oxide | D. Water vapor

Water vapor

When applied to climate change, the precautionary principle states: A. Negative feedbacks will always keep the planet's temperature from getting warm enough to harm human civilization | B. If we are uncertain about the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change, it is wise to curb our CO2 emissions | C. Everything in the climate system is highly interconnected | D. If there is any uncertainty about the science, it is better to put the interests of oil companies first

B. If we are uncertain about the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change, it is wise to curb our CO2 emissions

Which of the following is the concept that describes the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely? A. Carrying capacity | B. Greenhouse capacity | C. Sustainability quotient | D. Ecological maximum

A. Carrying capacity

The valley of this river drains most of the continental United States. A. Mississippi | B. St. Lawrence | C. Florida | D. Iowa

Mississippi

In 2020, coal use in the USA was about the same as: A. petroleum | B. natural gas | C. hydro power | D. renewable energy

Renewable energy

Fossil fuel use, cement use, and land use change release how many total Giga tons of excess CO₂ to the earth’s surface each year? This CO₂ goes to the atmosphere, terrestrial surface and ocean. A. 3 | B. 9 | C. 18 | D. 22

9

Globally the fastest growing form of energy in % per year is: A. petroleum | B. natural gas | C. hydro power | D. nuclear energy | E. renewable energy

Renewable energy

The recovery of oil and gas by injecting large amounts of fluids under high pressure into a single well as the surrounding rock (shale) is broken up is called: A. pressure drilling | B. hydraulic fracturing | C. deep well drilling | D. enhanced recovery

Hydraulic fracturing

Oil is usually found in which of the following situations: A. A coarse and porous reservoir rock, overlain by an impermeable cap rock | B. A fine-grained reservoir rock, overlain by an organic-rich cap rock | C. A porous reservoir rock, overlain by an organic-rich source rock | D. A dense organic-rich cap rock, overlain by a porous source rock

A. A coarse and porous reservoir rock, overlain by an impermeable cap rock

This state produces a lot of corn and constitutes a lot of the agricultural lobby in national politics

Iowa

The hidden cost of a material or fuel that is not included in its price for which the public still pays is an

Externality

T/F: Photovoltaics use a solar powered turbine to generate electricity

False

A major problem with the utilization of wind derived electricity is

The grid is lacking in places where wind energy is generated, so there are issues moving the electricity to where it is needed

T/F: Utility companies are generally disposed towards roof top solar power because they are in favor of a distributed type of power generation

False

Hydraulic fracking drills into oil source rock; this type of rock is

Shale

During conventional oil and gas drilling this kind of rock is tapped into and is where the oil/gas is trapped

Sandstone

Which of the following geological processes initiates the chemical transformation of the sediment's organic material into oil and gas? A. deposition of organic-poor material | B. elevated temps and pressures | C. migration of oil into source rock | D. secondary enrichment of escaping gases

B. elevated temps and pressures

About how much ethanol by volume does standard gas contain?

10%

The half life of Pu-239 is

24,000 years

This country in Europe is most reliant on nuclear power

France

T/F: Energy conservation doesn't pay off in a significant way

False

The Haber-Bosh Process, invented in Germany, initially to produce gunpowder during WW1, had a profound effect on human agriculture. Which of these statements is true? 1. It played a large part in enabling humans to produce double the N-fixation rate of atmospheric N relative to nature's N-cycle rate of N-fixation. 2. It led directly to the development of more powerful bombs such as those used over Japan in 1945. 3. Following 1945 it allowed for the production of copious amounts of Nitrogen based fertilizer. 4. Combined with plant breeding techniques and irrigation, it led to the 2nd green revolution following 1945.

1, 3, and 4

What three factors brought about the first green revolution?

Guano, New crops from South America, and Nitrate deposits from the Atacama Desert of Chile

The industrial revolution occurred from

1780-1850

This country's population grew from 1.5 million in the 1600s to 9 million by mid-1800s. They relied on a single crop such that a major disease outbreak led to famine

Ireland

The essay On the Principle of Population as It affects the Future Improvement of Society: A. proposed that population growth was linear while food production was exponential | B. proposed that population growth was logarithmic while food production was exponential | C. proposed that population growth was exponential while food production was linear

C. proposed that population growth was exponential while food production was linear

What is an aquitiard?

A layer of fine grained soil (like clay or silt) that retards water flow through it

Nitrogen pollution has increased how much since the industrial revolution?

300%

The second green revolution started about this time

After WWII

T/F: Fresh water floats over salt water

True

Which crop reduced farmer reliance on fertilizers?

Soybeans

In-stream use of water means

Water is left in its source

Using groundwater at a rate faster than it is naturally re-supplied is called

Overdraft

A cone of depression forms ______ in water table elevation when water is pumped from an aquifer

A decrease

A place on Earth where groundwater flowers or seeps out, such as a spring, is called

A discharge zone

A stream that only flows for part of the year is called

Ephemeral

What percentage of people in the US depend on groundwater as a source of drinking water?

50%

In a sewage treatment plant, which category of treatment removes the most BOD?

Primary and secondary treatment remove about the same (35%)

Common water pollutants include

Heavy metals, sediment, excess nutrients

Today, the world's primary water pollution problem is

Lack of clean, disease-free drinking water

In wastewater treatment plants, chlorine is often used as it

Is effective at killing pathogens

Prior to 1840, Europeans used this for a soil amendment to enhance soil fertility

Human bones

After 1940 to the present, US corn production has increased by ____ fold, in terms of bushels per acre of grain

7 fold

For every ____ of carbon fixed by land plants, a ______ of water or more is lost

Gram…kilogram

The valley of this river drains most of the continental United States

Mississippi

Ways to reduce water include:

Quick shower vs a bath; Fix leaks quickly; Use gray water to water vegetation

Water's characteristics include:

High surface tension; Allows sunlight to penetrate; Its solid form is lighter than its liquid form

Major sources of organic matter to aquatic ecosystems include

Natural sources; Agricultural runoff; Urban sewage

What is pay-as-you-throw?

A financial incentive to reduce waste

What is NOT a way to reduce waste?

Make sure you purchase clothes during sales

Which statement is false? A. Composting increases organic waste at landfills | B. Recycling in the U.S. is a $14 billion industry | C. Composting is the conversion of organic waste into mulch or humus by encouraging natural processes of decomposition | D. Yard waste and food scraps make up 25% of the municipal solid waste in the United States

A. Composting increases organic waste at landfills

What is not a characteristic of hazardous waste? A. biodegradable | B. Can catch fire | C. Chemically unstable; can explode or produce fumes when combined with water | D. Harmful or fatal when inhaled, ingested, or touched

A. biodegradable

The largest component of solid waste in United States is

Paper

In the production of nickel which is an externality? A. Degradation of the environment due to sulfur dioxide emissions | B. Paying the employees | C. Purchase of ore | D. Energy to run the smelter

A. Degradation of the environment due to sulfur dioxide emissions

All of the following are examples of “a commons” EXCEPT: A. national forests | B. shopping mall | C. atmosphere | D. international fisheries

B. shopping mall

Clean air and water are traded and dealt with in today's world as if their value were

Zero

An intangible factor is: A. Difficult to value economically | B. One you can touch, buy and sell | C. Easy to measure | D. worth a lot of money

A. Difficult to value economically

What is a common? A. any resource owned publicly, with public assess for private uses | B. area owned by the government | C. economical incentives to the community

A. any resource owned publicly, with public assess for private uses