Global Environmental Science

Exam 1

(ch. 1) What is geography?

• the study of earths surface

• physical aspects and human actions

• geographers focus on the spatially of the world, where things are, how they are arranged

• maps: HUGE ROLE

(ch. 1) Regional geography

• why areas different from one another

• historical, cultural, and physical features are combined to draw this conclusion

(ch. 1) human environmental interactions

• how the environment and people go hand and hand

• large disciplin started in 1960s-1970s

• environment can affect how people deal with natural resources and disasters

• people affect the enviornment by doing things such as overfishing, clearing forrest, and air pollution

(ch. 1) spatial science

• why things vary on earth- geographer focuses

• a focus in the processes that leads to things being different in different places

(ch. 1) earth science

• geographers strive to explain natural phenomenon on earth’s surface

(ch. 1) liberal art education

• to have skills such as participation in civic life, critical thinking, and effective communication.

• going to school teaches communication, creativity and critical thinking.

(ch. 2) systems

• general system theory, look at certain phenomenas related to systems

• system: related set that operates together and are structured

• ultimate system: solar system, universe

system theory

the looking at individual cells done by biologists

(ch. 2) types of systems

open system- the most common system materials and energy travel through (body)

closed system- energy is able to travel through but not materials (earth, energy from sun)

isolated system- no exchange of materials and energy (universe)- no other form exists

(ch. 2) change in systems

• based on organization of the system, mass, energy and ideas

• increase of profit more investors come plus increased adjustments

Equilibrium

no change in the systems input or output and energy stays constant

types of equilibrium

• true, steady state, dynamic, threshold

threshold

a drastic change can occur from a small energy input. ex: your roommate keeps taking your food, you don’t react until you reach a threshold and light her clothes on fire

( ch. 2) feedback

one change in a system causes another one to change in the system

• after reciving neg feedback we tend to have self regulation

• positive feedback causes the system to lose control

• positive feedback not good

• tipping point is from positive feedback

• lags happen when delays are in the system

(ch. 2) system resilience

• the way a system changes based on one part changing

• if cotton was taken from lubbock what would happen?

(ch. 2) cycles

• carbon cycle, requires a budget (amount of carbon in each form)

• if carbon goes up it must go down somewhere else

• more carbon dioxide warmer atmosphere= can be devestating to humans

• humans tamper with natural system without seeing effects

(ch. 3) earth’s place in the universe

• earth is apart of our solar system then our solar system makes up the galaxy and clusters, composing the whole universe

• our universe is huge

(ch. 3) whats the difference between liquid, gas, solid, and plasma?

(ch. 3) explanation of the different atom, molecule, proton, neutron, nucleus, and electron.

Protons and neutrons are located in the center of the atom within the nucleus, while electrons orbit the nucleus. A molecule is formed when two or more atoms are bonded together

(ch. 3) what are the elements and what distinguishes one element from another?

• hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,

• the number of protons in its nucleus, which is known as the atomic number

(ch. 3) electromagentic force

• positive, neg, either, or neutral

• pos and neg attraction

• like charges repeal

• attraction and replusion depends on distance, closer, and stronger

• holds atoms and molecules together

(ch. 3) strong and weak force

• within the nucleus

• small scale, more powerful than electromagenic

• nuclei holds together no repulsion

(ch. 3) gravational force

• any two bodies attract, ONLY ATTRACT

• strength varys on mass and distance

• strongest force

(ch. 3) Big Bang and how it led to the formation of galaxy clusters, galaxies, our Sun,
and our solar system

• 14 billion years ago our universe is a very hot tiny ball of energy, it explodes then cools and expands

• some areas had more mass than others and were pulled together to make galaxies

• hydrogen and helium plasma created stars

• planets started as balls of gas and cooled enough to be solid

ch. 3) how were hydrogen and helium formed? how were the rest of them formed?

• others formed during star explosion

• hydrogen and helium were formed during the big bang, as the universe cooled it formed atoms, neutrons, protons to make up elements

(ch. 4) How did the layers of the earth form?

through a process of differentiation as the planet cooled and heavier elements sank towards the center, while lighter elements rose to the surface

(ch. 4) how did the moon form?

a large planet (smaller than earth) hit earth and created the moon, the core sunk down into earth but the mantle of the planet became the moon

(ch. 4) Explain the formation of the oceans, atmosphere, life, and the Moon.

Oceans formed as water vapor from volcanic outgassing condensed and rained, while the atmosphere evolved from early gases released by volcanoes and impact events. Life likely arose from organic molecules synthesized from the early atmosphere and oceans, with the Moon forming from a giant impact event that ejected debris into space

(ch. 4) Generally speaking, when did oceans, atmosphere and life first appear on Earth?

the earth is 4.6 billion years old

3.8 billion years ago single cell organisms

(ch. 4) What is the relative strength of our understanding of the Big Bang, the origin of life, and evolution by natural selection.

• big bang makes sense and is logical

• origin of life is low confidence

• evolution by natural selection is a solid theory we see it happen in other fields

(ch. 4) Briefly explain the origin of life and evolution by natural selection

• evolution by natural selection: the animal becomes more adapted to the enviornment by varation and creation of new species

• light in the early ocean amino acids were created, DNA and RNA formed from hot springs in the ocean creating life

(ch. 4) Briefly explain Earth’s core (two parts), mantle, crust (two parts), and asthenosphere

Earth's interior consists of a core (inner and outer), a mantle, and a crust (continental and oceanic)
- The core is the hottest and densest layer, with a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The mantle is a thick, semi-solid layer made of hot, dense rock that flows like asphalt. The crust is the outermost, coolest, and thinnest layer, composed of continental and oceanic crust. The asthenosphere, a layer within the upper mantle, is partially molten and behaves plastically, allowing the lithosphere (crust and rigid upper mantle) to float and move above it

(ch. 4) Explain radioactive decay including the concept of half-life

• heat comes from the core

• isotopes are created and turn into isotope argon

• half life how long it takes for a substance to change/decary

(ch. 4) What’s the difference between catastrophism and uniformitarianism?

• catastrophism explains how the world became to have its landscape

• uniformitarnism says that earth’s history doesn’t need to bed explained through catastrophism

• simply by actions that shaped the landscape

What did Ussher and Hutton contribute to our understanding of the age of Earth?

• James Hutton came up with uniformitarianism

• Ussher came up with catastrophism

How old is Earth and how did we get that number?

• 4.6 billion

• radioactive decay

• moon rocks/minerals

(ch. 5) Define isotope, ion (cation and anion), organic, inorganic.

isotope- variation of element, neutrons

ion- atom, electrical charge

organic- living tissue (wood, coal)

inorganic- non-living (mineral, rocks)

(ch. 5) Briefly explain kinetic and potential energy

kinetic- moving and mass- running

potential- energy that’s stored- batteries

(ch. 5)How are molecules related to heat?

heat begins to make molecules vibrate

(ch. 5)What is electromagnetic radiation?

• determined by waze size

• wavelength from crest to crest

(ch. 5)How is color related to wavelength?

• colors we can see are by wavelengths refleted off objects

• different types of wavelengths depend on how strong the affect is

(ch. 5) Briefly explain (in words) Stephan-Bolzmann and Wein’s Laws

stephan- radiation is parrell to temp more together

wein- wave goes up temp goes down

(ch.5) What is a blackbody?

an idealized object in physics that perfectly absorbs all electromagnetic radiation (light) that falls on it, and it also emits radiation at the maximum possible rate for its temperature

(ch. 5) Briefly explain the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics

law 1- “energy cannot be created or destoyed”

law 2- no conversion is 100% back as it is put in

(ch. 5) What is entropy and how does it factor in the 2nd Law?

entrophy is disorder in the system.

every single conversion increases entropy tying in the second law

(ch. 5) What are the SI base units for mass, temperature, length, and time?

• Mass: Kilogram (kg)

• Temperature: Kelvin (K)

• Length: Meter (m)

• Time: Second (s)

What are the units for force, energy, and power?

force- newton

energy- joule

power- Lwatt

How does absolute zero relate to kelvin?

zero kelvin represents the lowest possible temperature

(ch. 6) What and when are aphelion and perihelion?

• Perihelion:

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  When Earth is at perihelion, it is closest to the Sun, typically occurring around January 3rd. In 2025, perihelion occurred on January 4th at 8:28 am EST. 

• Aphelion:

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  When Earth is at aphelion, it is farthest from the Sun, typically occurring around July 4th. 

(ch. 6)What is the plane of the ecliptic?

the imaginary plane containing Earth's orbit around the Sun.

(ch. 6) Explain why Earth has seasons

Earth’s tilted axis causes the seasons

(ch. 6) What is the significance of each in terms of seasons: Equator, Tropics of Capricorn &
Cancer, Arctic and Antarctic Circles, South & North Poles. What is the latitude of
each?

The Equator (0° latitude) marks the boundary between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, experiencing consistent daylight hours (roughly 12) throughout the year. The Tropics of Cancer (23.4° N) and Capricorn (23.4° S) represent the furthest points north and south, respectively, where the sun can be directly overhead at noon during the solstices.

(ch. 6) How does daylight vary during the year at each?

The pattern shows that the number of hours of daylight per day is higher in the summer and lower in the winter

(ch. 6) What are cross-quarter days?

February 1st (Imbolc), May 1st (Beltane), August 1st (Lughnasadh/Lammas), and October 31st/November 1st (Samhain)

Approximately where is the subsolar point on each of the cross-quarter days?

In between the latitudes

List the zones in order from the South Pole to the North Pole. Know the approximate
latitudes for each (i.e., 50°S would be Midlatitude

Antarctic Circle (approximately 66.5° S), Sub-Antarctic, South Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical, Subtropical, South Temperate, Sub-Arctic, Arctic Circle (approximately 66.5° N), and the North Pole. 

What are the evolutionary reasons that skin color generally ranges from dark at low
latitudes to light at higher latitudes?

the need to balance protection against UV radiation with the need for vitamin D production. 

Can we determine the absolute thickness of the atmosphere?

• no top of the atmosphere

• dense at surface not as you get higher up

• atmosphere mostly gas

How does air pressure vary with height in the atmosphere?

Air pressure generally decreases as altitude increases due to the reduction in the weight of the air column above a given point

What are the two main permanent gasses?

oxygen and nitrogen

How does residence time compare for nitrogen, oxygen, and water?

Nitrogen has the longest residence time among the three, followed by oxygen, and water has the shortest

What are aerosols?

minute solid or liquid particles suspended in a gas, commonly air.

Name a variable gas not in steady state equilibrium. What does that mean?

A variable gas that is not in steady state equilibrium is a gas undergoing a reaction or a process that changes its composition or energy over time. 

What are the two lowest layers of the atmosphere?

the troposphere and the stratosphere

how does temperature vary with height in each?

decreases with increasing height in the troposphere and mesosphere, but increases with height in the stratosphere and thermosphere

What is the boundary between them called?

the tropopause

What is the environmental lapse rate?

the rate at which the temperature of the atmosphere decreases with increasing altitude

Where is the ozone layer? Why is the ozone layer important for life?

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, a layer of the Earth's atmosphere, between approximately 15 and 30 kilometers (9 to 18 miles) above the surface. It's crucial for life because it absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting Earth's surface and its inhabitants

How do small particulates affect the body?

espiratory irritation to cardiovascular problems and increased risk of certain diseases

What chemical substance is involved in acid rain?

sulfer oxides

What’s another term for Los Angeles-type smog?

photochemical smog

Has air pollution gotten better or worse in the US since the 1960s?

gotten better