Energy Resources and Climate Change Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and facts from the lecture notes on energy resources, climate change, and geological impacts relevant to the exam.

What is the difference between kinetic and potential energy?

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy based on position or state.

What is a renewable resource?

A renewable resource is one that can be naturally replenished within approximately 100 years.

What is a non-renewable resource?

A non-renewable resource cannot be naturally replenished within 100 years and is considered finite.

What type of original material produces coal?

Coal is produced from decayed swamp vegetation, primarily land plants.

What process is fracking?

Fracking is a process that uses high-pressure injections of water, sand, and chemicals to break rocks and release oil/gas.

What is a major controversy associated with fracking?

Concerns over environmental risks, such as water contamination, habitat destruction, and health effects.

What is the importance of energy resources?

Energy resources are crucial for supporting human activity, economic development, and technological growth.

What are the general steps of electricity generation at thermal power plants?

Heat source generates steam, which spins a turbine, turns a generator, and produces electricity.

What is a proxy in climate science?

A proxy is an indirect measure used by scientists to infer past climatic conditions.

What is eutrophication?

Eutrophication is a process where excessive nutrients in water lead to algal blooms, causing depletion of oxygen and harming aquatic life.

What forces cause mass wasting?

Mass wasting is primarily driven by gravity, which causes material to move down slopes.

What is the difference between aquifers and confining layers?

Aquifers are permeable rocks that can store and transmit groundwater; confining layers are impermeable rocks that restrict groundwater flow.

What are the characteristics of a gaining stream?

A gaining stream has groundwater flowing into it, resulting in an increase in water levels.

What happens during glacial retreat?

During glacial retreat, sea levels rise globally and land elevations may rise locally due to isostatic rebound.

What is the significance of the latest greenhouse gas concentrations?

Current levels of CO2, CH4, and N2O are much higher than anything recorded in the past 650,000 years, indicating rapid climate change.