SNC 1D Exam Review Flashcards

Flashcards to review electricity, matter, ecosystems, and astronomy concepts based on lecture notes.

Which particles are responsible for electric charges?

Particles responsible for electric charges.

What is the purpose of an electroscope?

An instrument used to detect electric charge.

State the Law of Electric Charges.

Like charges repel, and opposite charges attract.

Name the atomic particles that move when charging occurs.

Electrons.

What is the Electrostatic Series and what is it used for?

A list of materials, ordered by their tendency to gain or lose electrons. Used to predict charge after friction.

Explain how objects can be charged by conduction.

Transfer of electrons between objects in contact.

What is meant by 'grounding'?

Providing a pathway for charge to flow to the Earth.

Explain the difference between insulators and conductors.

Materials that inhibit the flow of charge (e.g., rubber) vs. materials that allow charge to flow easily (e.g., metals).

Define electric discharge.

Sudden transfer of electric charge.

Define electrical energy.

The energy associated with moving electric charges.

Name the two main sources of electrical energy.

Electric cells and generators.

What are electric cells? Name the 3 basic components of an electric cell.

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Components: electrodes, electrolyte, separator.

What is the difference between a primary cell and a secondary cell? Give examples.

Primary cell: non-rechargeable (e.g., alkaline battery). Secondary cell: rechargeable (e.g., lithium-ion battery).

How is a fuel cell different from a typical electric cell?

Fuel cell: Uses continuous supply of fuel and oxidant to generate electricity, rather than stored chemical energy.

Compare DC and AC current according to direction of electron flow and source of current.

DC: electrons flow in one direction (e.g., battery). AC: electrons alternate direction (e.g., wall outlet).

Define electric power (include the unit of power). What is a kilowatt hour?

The rate at which electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy. Unit: Watt (W). Kilowatt hour (kWh): unit of energy.

What is current electricity and how is it different from static electricity?

Current electricity involves flowing charges, while static electricity involves stationary charges.

What is an electric circuit?

A closed path that allows electric charge to flow continuously.

List and describe the functions of 4 basic components of an electric circuit.

Source, conductor, load, switch.

What is the difference between a series circuit and a parallel circuit?

Series: components arranged in a single path. Parallel: components arranged in multiple paths.

Explain why parallel circuits are used in the home.

Circuits in homes are wired in parallel so that each device receives the same voltage and can operate independently.

Define electric current and ampere.

The rate of flow of electric charge. Unit: Ampere (A).

What is the function of an ammeter?

Measures electric current.

Define potential difference (voltage) and volt.

The difference in electric potential between two points. Unit: Volt (V).

What is the function of a voltmeter?

Measures potential difference (voltage).

Define electrical resistance and ohm.

Opposition to the flow of electric current. Unit: Ohm (Ω).

List four factors that affect the resistance of a wire.

Material, length, thickness, and temperature.

What is a resistor?

A device designed to have a specific resistance to current flow.

What is Ohm’s Law?

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance: V = IR.

Use the particle theory to distinguish between solids, liquids, and gases.

Solid: fixed volume and shape; Liquid: fixed volume, variable shape; Gas: variable volume and shape.

Distinguish between a pure substance and a mixture. Name two types of mixtures and give examples.

Pure substance: made of only one type of particle. Mixture: made of two or more types of particles. Homogeneous (solution) and heterogeneous.

What is a physical property? State at least 5 physical properties of copper.

A property that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical composition. Examples: color, density, melting point.

What is a chemical property? State at least 1 chemical properties of sodium.

A property that describes how a substance reacts with other substances. Example: reactivity with acid.

Distinguish between quantitative properties and qualitative properties. Give an example of each.

Quantitative: measurable (e.g., density). Qualitative: descriptive (e.g., color).

Distinguish between a physical change and a chemical change, and give one example of each type of change.

Physical change: change in form or appearance, not chemical composition (e.g., melting). Chemical change: change in chemical composition (e.g., burning).

List observations that indicate a chemical change has taken place.

Color change, gas production, precipitate formation, heat absorption or release.

What is a characteristic physical property? Give three examples.

A physical property that helps identify a substance (e.g. melting point, boiling point, density).

Define density, mass, and volume.

Density: mass per unit volume. Mass: amount of matter in an object. Volume: amount of space an object occupies.

Name the two types of pure substances.

Elements and compounds.

Define the word 'element' and list three examples of elements.

A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Examples: hydrogen, oxygen, gold.

Define the word 'compound' and list three examples of compounds.

A substance made up of two or more elements chemically combined. Examples: water, carbon dioxide, salt.

Describe the physical properties of metals and non-metals.

Metals: lustrous, conductive, malleable. Non-metals: dull, non-conductive, brittle.

What is a chemical family?

A group of elements with similar chemical properties.

Name 4 chemical families of the periodic table and describe their properties.

Alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, halogens, noble gases.

Define valence electrons.

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom.

Explain why the noble gases are unreactive, in terms of their electron arrangement.

They have a full outermost electron shell, making them stable and unreactive.

Distinguish between a period and a group in the periodic table.

Period: horizontal row in the periodic table. Group: vertical column in the periodic table.

What do elements in the same group of the periodic table have in common?

Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons.

What do elements in the same row of the periodic table have in common?

Elements in the same period have the same number of electron shells.

State the basis for the organization of the modern periodic table.

Increasing atomic number.

Define the terms atomic number, atomic mass, and mass number.

Atomic number: number of protons in the nucleus. Atomic mass: average mass of atoms of an element. Mass number: number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Describe the Bohr-Rutherford model of the atom.

A model of the atom with electrons orbiting the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells.

Name three forms of carbon. How and why are their properties different?

Diamond, graphite, fullerene. Different structures lead to different properties.

Distinguish between a molecule and an atom.

Molecule: two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Atom: the basic unit of an element.

What is a chemical formula?

A symbolic representation of a molecule, showing the types of atoms and their numbers.

List the 7 diatomic elements.

H2, N2, O2, F2, Cl2, Br2, I2.

Define molecular compound. Give 4 examples of molecular compounds (state the chemical formula, chemical name, and common name).

A compound formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Define ionic compound. Give 4 examples of ionic compounds (state the chemical formula, chemical name, and common name).

A compound formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms.

What is an ion? What kind of ion does a sodium atom form?

An atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electric charge. Sodium forms a positive ion (Na+).

Distinguish between a covalent bond and an ionic bond.

Covalent bond: sharing of electrons. Ionic bond: transfer of electrons.

Which elements form covalent bonds? Which elements form ionic bonds?

Covalent bonds: non-metals. Ionic bonds: metals and non-metals.

Describe the composition of the following regions on Earth: atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere

Atmosphere: gases surrounding Earth. Lithosphere: Earth's crust and upper mantle. Hydrosphere: all water on Earth.

Define the following terms: abiotic, biotic, ecology, ecosystems, environment

Abiotic: non-living. Biotic: living. Ecology: study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Ecosystems: communities of organisms interacting with their environment. Environment: surroundings of an organism.

Define the following levels of ecological organization: individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere

Individual, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere

Define sustainable ecosystem, and sustainability.

Ecosystem that can support itself indefinitely.

Define niche. What is the niche of a field mouse?

The role an organism plays in its ecosystem.

Distinguish between producers and consumers; autotrophs and heterotrophs.

Producers: make their own food. Consumers: eat other organisms. Autotrophs: producers. Heterotrophs: consumers.

Define photosynthesis. Write the word equation for photosynthesis.

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Water + Carbon Dioxide -> Glucose + Oxygen.

Define cellular respiration. Write the word equation for cellular respiration.

Process by which organisms convert glucose into energy. Glucose + Oxygen -> Water + Carbon Dioxide.

Distinguish between herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, scavengers, and decomposers.

Herbivores: eat plants. Carnivores: eat meat. Omnivores: eat both. Scavengers: eat dead animals. Decomposers: break down dead organisms.

What is a food chain?

A sequence of organisms in which each feeds on the one below.

What are trophic levels?

Each step in a food chain or food web.

What are food webs?

Interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Describe how energy flows through a food chain.

Energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, but some energy is lost as heat.

In the carbon cycle, briefly describe how carbon is moved between the abiotic and biotic environment.

Carbon is moved between the abiotic and biotic environment through photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and combustion.

Name 2 abiotic factors that determine the type of biome.

Temperature and precipitation.

Describe the following types of biotic interactions and give examples of each: competition, symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, predation

Competition, symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, predation.

What is a limiting factor?

A factor that limits the growth or distribution of a population.

List 4 abiotic limiting factors.

Temperature, sunlight, water, nutrients.

List 4 biotic limiting factors.

Competition, predation, disease, parasitism.

Define steady state and carrying capacity.

A state of balance in an ecosystem. Carrying capacity: maximum population size an environment can sustain.

Define equilibrium. Describe characteristics of ecosystems in equilibrium.

A state of balance in an ecosystem.

What is succession? Give an example.

The process of change in an ecological community over time.

Where on Earth is biodiversity the greatest? Why?

Greatest near the equator due to warm temperatures and high rainfall.

Why is biodiversity important?

Provides ecosystem services, genetic resources, and aesthetic value.

Distinguish between the following terms; extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened

Extinct: no longer exists. Extirpated: no longer exists in a specific area. Endangered: at risk of extinction. Threatened: at risk of becoming endangered.

Is extinction a natural process? Explain.

Yes, species naturally evolve and go extinct over time.

What are invasive species?

Species introduced to an area outside their native range.

What are pesticides? How do they affect other parts of an ecosystem?

Chemicals used to kill pests.

What is bioaccumulation? Biomagnification/Bioamplification?

The accumulation of substances in an organism. Biomagnification/Bioamplification: the increasing concentration of substances in organisms at higher trophic levels.

What is the difference between a narrow and broad-spectrum pesticide?

Narrow-spectrum: targets specific pests. Broad-spectrum: targets a wide range of organisms.

What are pollutants? Name at least 5 pollutants.

Substances that contaminate the environment.

What is the cause of acid rain?

Pollution caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which form acids in the atmosphere.

Explain Desertification.

The process by which fertile land becomes desert.

Explain Biosequestration.

Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in soil, plants, or other materials.

What is the order of the planets from the sun? Which planets are the terrestrial planets and which are the Gas Giants? Where are the asteroid and Kuiper belts located?

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Terrestrial: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Gas Giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Asteroid belt: between Mars and Jupiter. Kuiper belt: beyond Neptune.

Why was Pluto demoted to the status of a dwarf planet?

Has not cleared its orbit of other objects.

What region of the sun is the hottest? What temperature does it reach?

Corona. Reaches temperatures of about 1 to 3 million °C.

What is the difference between an asteroid, meteoroid, meteor, meteorite & comet?

Asteroid: rocky object orbiting the sun. Meteoroid: small asteroid. Meteor: meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere. Meteorite: meteor that hits Earth's surface. Comet: icy object with a tail.

What is the most likely cause of a meteor shower?

Debris left behind by a comet.