EES Final Exam Review

radioactivity

the spontaneous release of particles or energy from an atom caused by an atoms instability

half-life

length of time is takes for its radioactivity to fall to half of its original value

what makes a nucleus stable?

an equal amount of protons and neutrons; it won't break down

1 half-life

50% remaining, 1:1

2 half-lifes

25% remaining, 1:3

3 half-lifes

12.5% remaining, 1:7

temperature gradient

uneven distribution of heat

conduction

thermal energy is transferred through direct physical contact

convection

the movement of matter which brings the heat with it

radiation

movement of energy through "space" as electromagnetic waves

atomic mass

number of total protons and nuetrons

atomic number

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom

solar nubular theory

the idea that a spinning cloud of dust made of mostly light elements, called a nebula, flattened into a protoplanetary disk, and became a solar system consisting of a star with orbiting planets

nebula (simple)

a cloud of interstellar gas and dust (nebula) accumulates

giant impact theory (in depth)

approximately 4.5 billion years ago, a planet named theia collided with earth. theia and a large portion of earths crust were disintegrated and ejected into space. earth was left molten for millions of years while the debris from the collision orbited the planet, eventually accreting into the moon.

giant impact theory (simple)

the theory of how the moon formed

accretion

coming together of smaller objects which then stick together as larger objects

atom

smallest unit of matter

ion

an atom with a net electrical charge (+ or -)

isotope

versions of an element with different numbers of nuetrons

protons

have a charge of +1, mass of 1 amu

nuetrons

no charge, mass of 1 amu

electrons

charge of -1, mass of 0, no matter so it's just energy

what defines an element

the number of protons

what is represented?

the nucleus (protons and neutrons)

what is represented? (in yellow)

the electrons

what are the two sources of energy from earth's interior?

Radiogenic heat which is made by radioactive decay of the isotopes in earth's covet mantle and primordial heat which is leftover form the earth forming

earth's core

consists of mostly iron and nickel: high electrical conductivity

earth's outer core

molten/liquid iron and convects (moves in currents)

the dynamo theory

the rotating, convecting, liquid iron of the OUTER CORE conducts electrons to generate and maintain a magnetic field around the planet

earths magnetosphere

the magnetic field generated by earth's core redirects solar radiation around the planet, protecting the surface from extreme exposure

continental drift

the hypothesis that continents were once joined together in a super contenent called Pangaea

divergent boundary

a plate boundary where two plates move away from each other.

divergent (constructive)

forms mid-ocean ridge, volcanoes, rift valleys, sea floor spreading

transform boundary

a plate boundary where two plates move past each other in opposite directions

transform (conservative; doesn't create nor destroy)

forms faults, earthquakes (strong)

convergent boundary: continental/continental

plate boundary where two plates move towards each other

convergent: continental/continental (destructive)

forms mountains, earthquakes (weak)

convergent boundary: continental/oceanic

1 continental plate and 1 oceanic plate push together

convergent: continental/oceanic (destructive)

forms deep ocean trenches, volcanoes, earthquakes (strong), tsunamis, subduction zones

convergent boundary: oceanic/oceanic

two oceanic plates move towards each other and collide

convergent: oceanic/oceanic (destructive)

forms deep ocean trenches, volcanoes, earthquakes (strong), tsunamis, subduction zones, volcanic island arcs

plate tectonics

the theory that states that earth's outermost layer, the lithosphere, is broken into 7 large, rigid chunks called plates

thermoregulation

regulates the overall temperature by dispersing the heat. ocean currents regulate the earth's climate because the currents act a lot like a conveyor belt and they transport warm water and precipitation from the poles and cold water from the poles back towards the equator. these currents help regulate climate and help prevent uneven distribution of solar radiation on earth.

how is the ozone layer being destroyed?

when gaseous CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) slowly ascend into the stratosphere, are damaged by powerful UV radiation, and release chlorine atoms, they then interact with ozone molecules and they can weaken the ozone layer.

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

nontoxic, non-flammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. they are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants

the ozone layer

a thin part of the earth's atmosphere that absorbs almost all of the sun's harmful ultraviolet light

global warming

the long-term heating of earth's surface observed since the pre-industrial period due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in the earth's atmosphere

climate change

the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. climate change may cause weather patterns to be unpredictable

greenhouse effect

the way in which heat is trapped close to earth's surface by "greenhouse gases". these heat trapping gases can be thought of as a blanket wrapped around earth, keeping the planet toastier than it would be without them

the coriolis effect

the result of earth's rotation on weather patterns and ocean currents (makes storms clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. and counter clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere)

what changes earth's circumference

latitude (at the equator, the poles)

where do objects (such as airmasses) move faster?

at the equator

accelerates right in the...

northern hemisphere

accelerates left in the...

southern hemisphere

hurricanes form around...

low pressure systems

air moving away from the equator curves...

east

air moving towards the equator curves...

west

the air rushing in (in a hurricane) is deflected by the coriolis effect, causing hurricanes to...

spin counterclockwise in the north and clockwise in the south

velocity

distance(miles)/time(ex. hours) -\> greater distance/same time=greater velocity

troposphere

the lowest densest part of the earth's atmosphere in which weather changes occur and temperature generally decreases rapidly with altitude. extends from the earth's surface to the bottom of the stratosphere at about 7 miles high

stratosphere

the second layer of the atmosphere as you go up. temperature increases gradually to ~32 degrees F and clouds rarely form.

mesosphere

the part of the earth's atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere in which temperature decreases with altitude to the atmosphere's absolute minimum

thermosphere

part of earth's atmosphere that begins at ~50 miles above the earth's surface, extends to outer space, and is characterized by steadily increasing temperature with height

exosphere

the uppermost region of earth's atmosphere and has no clear boundary since it gradually fades into outer space

carrying capacity

the maximum population an ecosystem can support sustainably

front (weather)

a transition zone between two different air masses at the earth's surface

warm front

transition zone between a mass of warm air and the cold air it is replacing (high pressure)

what weather does a warm front bring?

typically brings nice weather, no clouds, and steady light or moderate rain

cold front

the zone separating two air masses, of which the cooler, denser air mass is advancing and replacing the warmer (low pressure)

what weather does a cold front bring?

stormy weather; thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes

stationary front

a front between warm and cold air masses that is moving very slowly or not at all

what weather does a stationary front bring?

often times cloudy, and rain or snow will fall

occluded front

formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front and forces it up, usually happens at the end of a storm

what weather does an occluded front bring?

strong winds and heavy precipitation

low pressure

sucks air in, rotates clockwise

high pressure

pushes air out, rotates counter clockwise

air is...

a gradient moving towards and equilibrium

wind

differences in air pressure (wind blows from high pressure towards low pressure)

earth's atmosphere is made up of...

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gases

saltwater intrusion

overpumping on the coast can cause saltwater to be pulled into the freshwater aquifer. if the water table drops below sea level, saltwater will flow into the aquifer

thermohaline circulation

deep ocean currents driven by differences in the water's density, which is controlled by temperature (thermo), and salinity (haline)

gyre

a circular ocean current formed by earth's wind patterns and the forces created by the rotation of the planet; a large system of rotating ocean currents

tide

very long period waves that move through the ocean in response to the forces exerted by the moon and sun. tides originate in the ocean and progress toward the coastlines where they appear as the regular rise and fall of the sea surface

storm surge

an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tides

what is the ocean conveyor belt?

a constantly moving system of deep-ocean (and surface) circulation driven by temperature and salinity

the equator receives...

direct sunlight all year

why do the poles have less heat?

the same amount of solar radiation is spread across a larger area at the poles

what is coral bleaching?

coral bleaching is when corals lose their vibrant colors and turn white. it occurs from water pollution, overfishing, and coastal development. they will die because of a change in water temperature as well (as little as 2 degrees F)

land subsidence

removing water from a rock formation leaves empty space (pumping an aquifer), causing the ground above to sink

porosity

how much space is in the rock; how much water it can hold

permeability

the ability to transmit water through the pore spaces. how easily can it move within the rock or sediment?

groundwater

water that has soaked into the ground

aquifers

layers of permeable rock underground can fill up with and store water. this water can flor through the rock (aquifer) several miles in a day

aquitard

layers of impermeable rock that can keep groundwater confined to the aquifer

wells

to extract ground water we drill a well bore (hole) to below the water table. water will fill the hole and you can pump it out

cone of depression

pumping water through a well causes the water table to dip in that spot

artesian well

in areas where the water table is inclined, the water above/behind will put pressure on the water below. if there is a crack in the rock or a hole is drilled, this pressure can push the water to the surface on its own

examples of non-renewable fossil fuels

oil, coal, and natural gas

examples of non-renewable resources

metals, gemstones, fossil fuels, groundwater (if managed unsustainably)