Earth Science Final

What is the Urban Heat Island effect? The phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than rural areas due to human-made materials that absorb and retain heat. Which type of land use impacts water quality the most? Industrial land use impacts water quality the most. What is a nonrenewable energy resource? A finite resource that is consumed much faster than it is replenished; examples include coal, oil, and natural gas. What are the major drawbacks of burning fossil fuels? Burning fossil fuels leads to reduced air quality, increased atmospheric temperatures, and reduced water quality. What is a renewable energy source? A source of energy that comes from natural processes that replenish faster than they are used; examples include wind, solar, and hydropower. What is sustainable consumption? Using goods and services that meet basic needs and improve quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials. What is bycatching? The phenomenon of catching unwanted fish and other marine creatures during commercial fishing for a different species. What is bioaccumulation? The gradual buildup of a chemical or toxin in an organism's body over time, occurring when the rate of intake exceeds the rate of elimination. What is the major impact of bioaccumulation in ecosystems? Biomagnification, which causes top predators and humans the most harm. What is the major environmental impact of open-pit mining? Loss of forests and habitats. What is carbon sequestration? The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to reduce climate change. Which organization monitors the environmental impact of oil drilling in the Chukchi Sea? The Department of the Interior (DOI). Which pollutant can cause respiratory illness in humans? Both nitrous oxide and particulates can cause respiratory illness. What is associated with an increase in wildfires? Rising atmospheric temperatures. What is hydraulic fracking? A process used to extract oil and natural gas from deep rock formations by pumping a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure into the rock. What is the role of the ozone layer in the atmosphere? It absorbs UV radiation and prevents it from reaching Earth. What could be a potential impact of introducing a nonnative species to an ecosystem? It can take over the habitats of native species. Why are inner planets different from outer planets? Due to their distance from the sun during their formation. How do water and land absorb and retain heat differently? Water has a high specific heat while land has a low specific heat, impacting global temperature changes. Why are hurricanes formed over oceans? Hot air and the energy of evaporating water provide energy for the hurricanes. What is the Urban Heat Island effect? The phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than rural areas due to human-made materials that absorb and retain heat. Which type of land use impacts water quality the most? Industrial land use impacts water quality the most. What is a nonrenewable energy resource? A finite resource that is consumed much faster than it is replenished; examples include coal, oil, and natural gas. What are the major drawbacks of burning fossil fuels? The major drawbacks include reduced air quality, reduced water quality, and increased atmospheric temperatures. What is a renewable energy source? Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish faster than they are used; examples include wind, solar, and hydropower. What is sustainable consumption? Using goods and services that meet basic needs and improve quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials. What is bycatching? The phenomenon of catching unwanted fish and other marine creatures during commercial fishing for a different species. What is bioaccumulation? The gradual buildup of a chemical or toxin in an organism's body over time, occurring when the rate of intake exceeds the rate of elimination. What is the major impact of bioaccumulation in ecosystems? Biomagnification, which causes top predators and humans the most harm. What is the major environmental impact of open-pit mining? Loss of forests and habitats. What is carbon sequestration? The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to reduce climate change. Which organization monitors the environmental impact of oil drilling in the Chukchi Sea? The Department of the Interior (DOI). Which pollutant can cause respiratory illness in humans? Both nitrous oxide and particulates can cause respiratory illness. What is the association between wildfires and climate? Increased wildfires are associated with rising atmospheric temperatures. What is hydraulic fracking? A process used to extract oil and natural gas from deep rock formations by creating cracks in the rock using high-pressure mixtures of water, sand, and chemicals. What is the role of the ozone layer in the atmosphere? It absorbs UV radiation and prevents it from reaching Earth. What could be a potential impact of introducing a nonnative species to an ecosystem? It can take over the habitats of native species. Why are inner planets different from outer planets? Inner planets are different due to their distance from the sun during their formation. How do water and land absorb and retain heat differently? Water has a high specific heat while land has a low specific heat, impacting global temperature changes. Why are hurricanes formed over oceans? Hot air and the energy of evaporating water provide energy for the hurricanes. What is the movement of water from oceans to the atmosphere and back called? Water cycle What is the amount of salt in water called? Salinity What types of ocean currents exist? Deep and surface What causes deep ocean currents? Differences in water's density What is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere? Nitrogen What is the change of water from gas to liquid called? Condensation What is the change of water from liquid to gas called? Evaporation Which layer of the atmosphere do we live in? Troposphere Which of the following is a greenhouse gas? Carbon dioxide, Methane, Water vapor What is the process called when solid ice converts directly into gas? Sublimation What is the process by which water vapor escapes through the leaves called? Transpiration What is the underground porous rock layer that stores groundwater called? Aquifer What percentage of Earth's water is ocean water? 97 percent What percentage of Earth's water is fresh water? 3 percent What is the ability of the atmosphere to hold water vapor called? Humidity What is an example of point source pollution? Discharge from a factory What could be the main reason for rising global sea levels? Polar ice caps melting In which layer of the atmosphere do most weather phenomena occur? Troposphere What is the largest source of accessible fresh water? Ground water What happens to air pressure as we go higher in the atmosphere? It decreases How did the solar system form according to the Nebular theory? From a nebula, a giant cloud of gas and dust What is the age of our solar system? 4.6 billion years According to Kepler's first law, how do planets revolve around the sun? In an elliptical path What does Kepler's third law describe? The relationship between a planet's orbital period and its distance from the Sun What percentage of the Sun's mass is Hydrogen? 75 percent In what form does the Sun release its energy? Electromagnetic radiation What elements react in the Sun to cause nuclear fusion? Hydrogen and Helium Which layer of the atmosphere blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun? Ozone layer in the Stratosphere What blocks harmful Gamma radiation from sunlight before reaching the Earth? Earth's Magnetic field What ingredients are needed for photosynthesis? Carbon dioxide and water What is the Urban Heat Island effect? The phenomenon where urban areas are significantly warmer than rural areas due to human-made materials that absorb and retain heat. Which type of land use impacts water quality the most? Industrial land use impacts water quality the most. What is a nonrenewable energy resource? A finite resource that is consumed much faster than it is replenished; examples include coal, oil, and natural gas. What are the major drawbacks of burning fossil fuels? Burning fossil fuels leads to reduced air quality, increased atmospheric temperatures, and reduced water quality. What is a renewable energy source? Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish faster than they are used; examples include wind, solar, and hydropower. What is sustainable consumption? Using goods and services that meet basic needs and improve quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials. What is bycatching? The phenomenon of catching unwanted fish and other marine creatures during commercial fishing for a different species. What is bioaccumulation? The gradual buildup of a chemical or toxin in an organism's body over time, occurring when the rate of intake exceeds the rate of elimination. What is the major impact of bioaccumulation in ecosystems? It leads to biomagnification, causing the highest concentrations of toxins to be found in top predators and humans. What is the major environmental impact of open-pit mining? It results in the loss of forests and habitats. What is carbon sequestration? The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to reduce climate change. Which organization monitors the environmental impact of oil drilling in the Chukchi Sea? The Department of the Interior (DOI). What pollutant can cause respiratory illness in humans? Nitrous oxide and particulates can both cause respiratory illness. What is the relationship between wildfires and atmospheric temperatures? Increased atmospheric temperatures are associated with an increase in wildfires. What is hydraulic fracking? A process used to extract oil and natural gas from deep rock formations by pumping a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure. What is the role of the ozone layer in the atmosphere? It absorbs UV radiation and prevents it from reaching Earth. What could be a potential impact of introducing a nonnative species to an ecosystem? It can take over the habitats of native species. Why are inner planets different from outer planets? They differ due to their distance from the sun during their formation. How do water and land absorb and retain heat differently? Water has a high specific heat, while land has a low specific heat, impacting global temperature changes. Why do hurricanes form over oceans? Hot air and the energy of evaporating water provide energy for hurricanes. What is acid rain? Acid rain is caused by the release of sulfur compounds such as sulfur dioxide from burning fossil fuels. What is a greenhouse gas? A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere; examples include carbon dioxide and methane. What do chlorofluorocarbons damage? Chlorofluorocarbons damage or deplete the ozone layer. What is biomagnification? The increasing concentration of a substance, such as a pollutant, in organisms at successively higher levels in a food chain. What happens to carbon dioxide levels during photosynthesis? The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decreases as plants use it to make sugars. What happens to ocean water if the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases? Ocean water becomes more acidic. What is high specific heat? A material that requires a lot of heat energy to cause a temperature change is considered to have high specific heat. What is infiltration? The process of soaking water into the ground, allowing it to become part of groundwater. What is a disadvantage of wind energy? Wind energy is effective only in windy areas and can create noise pollution and interfere with migratory movements of birds. What does Earth's rotation result in? Earth's rotation on its own axis results in the formation of day and night. What does Earth's revolution around the sun impact? Earth's revolution around the sun mainly impacts the seasons. What is saltwater intrusion? The movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, contaminating drinking water and harming agriculture. What are autotrophs? Organisms that can make their own food. What are heterotrophs? Organisms that depend on autotrophs or producers for their food. What are abiotic factors? Nonliving components of an ecosystem, such as sunlight and water. What are biotic factors? Living components of an ecosystem, such as plants and animals. What process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? Photosynthesis. What processes release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? Respiration, deforestation, and burning fossil fuels. What is a carbon sink? A natural reservoir that stores carbon, such as a forest. What is biomagnification? The increase in pollutant concentration as it moves up the food chain. What is primary succession? Ecosystem development starting from bare rock or no soil. What is ecosystem resilience? The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances. What is biodiversity? The variety of life in an ecosystem. What is the rule of 10 in energy transfer? Approximately 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level, while 90% is lost. What process moves carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere? Combustion. What is the impact of invasive species on biodiversity? Invasive species typically decrease biodiversity. Why are apex predators more affected by biomagnification? They consume larger amounts of biomass, concentrating pollutants. What happens to ocean carbon dioxide absorption as temperatures rise? The amount of carbon dioxide they can absorb goes down. What can agricultural runoff lead to? Increased algae growth, high phosphate levels, and decreased dissolved oxygen. What is a greenhouse gas? A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Which gas is not a greenhouse gas? Nitrogen. What is the greenhouse effect? The trapping of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases, increasing atmospheric temperature. What are ice cores used for? They provide information about past climates by trapping gases and particles. What happens to atmospheric temperatures after a volcanic eruption? Temperatures can drop due to ash blocking sunlight. What is the cause of decreased atmospheric temperature after a volcanic eruption? Reflection of sunlight by volcanic ash. What is deforestation? The clearing of forests by cutting down trees. What impact does planting trees have on climate? It can decrease temperatures by absorbing carbon dioxide. What are particulates? Tiny particles such as dust and pollen in the air. How do particulates affect human health? They can cause respiratory issues. What is the Clean Air Act? A regulation aimed at improving air quality in the United States. Decreased temperatures Due to decreased CO2 Carbon dioxide oxide A greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels Increased atmospheric temperature Due to increased CO2 from deforestation Ice cores Provide information about the amount of Carbon dioxide oxide trapped Greenhouse effect The phenomenon where greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation, increasing atmospheric temperature Proxy for past climate Tree Rings, Corals, and Ice Cores (all of the above) Clean Air Act (CAA) Responsible for improving air quality in the US Methane A greenhouse gas released due to agricultural activity Cause of temperature rise after volcanic eruption Release of CO2 which traps heat Major components of sunlight UV radiation, infrared, and visible (all of these) Atmospheric temperatures after volcanic eruption Temperatures drop Sulfur Dioxide Oxide Gas associated with the formation of acid rain Particulates Tiny particles such as dust and pollen in the air Health effects of particulates Cause respiratory issues Infrared Component of sunlight trapped by greenhouse gases to create the greenhouse effect Deforestation Cutting trees from forests Cause of temperature decrease after volcanic eruption Reflection of sunlight by volcanic ash into space Water Vapor Greenhouse gas with the highest capacity to trap heat and increase atmospheric temperatures Greenhouse gases Nitrous Oxide, Methane, and Carbon Dioxide Oxide (all of these) Clean Air Act (CAA) impact Led to substantial reductions in emissions of key air pollutants, improving air quality by reducing criteria pollutants Not a greenhouse gas Both Nitrogen and Oxygen What are organisms that can make their own food called? Autotrophs What are organisms that depend on autotrophs or producers for food called? Heterotrophs What kind of factors are considered abiotic? Nonliving factors such as sunlight What kind of factors are considered biotic? Living factors such as plants Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? Photosynthesis Which process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? All of these (Respiration, Breathing, Deforestation) What is a carbon sink? Forest Which processes are part of the carbon cycle? All of these (Photosynthesis, Combustion, Respiration) What is the increase in pollutant concentration as it moves up the food chain called? Biomagnification: What is ecosystem development starting from bare rock or no soil called? Primary succession. What is ecosystem resilience? Ability of the ecosystem to recover from disturbances. What is biodiversity? The variety of life in an ecosystem. According to the rule of 10, how much energy is transferred between trophic levels? 10 percent energy is transferred to the next level. Which process moves carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere? Combustion: What could be the impact of invasive species on biodiversity? Decreases biodiversity. Why are apex predators more affected by biomagnification than other species? They consume more amounts of biomass, concentrating pollutants. If ocean temperatures go up, what happens to the amount of carbon dioxide they can absorb? The amount of carbon dioxide they can absorb goes down. What can agricultural runoff lead to? All of these (Increased algae growth, decreased dissolved oxygen, decline in fish population). If genetic diversity within a species increases, what happens to resilience? Resilience increases adhesion. An attraction between molecules of different substances is cohesion. Attraction between molecules of the same substance is surface tension. The force that acts on the surface of a liquid is the capillary action tendency of water to rise in a thin tube. Universal solvent, the ability of water to dissolve many different substances, because water is polar and can break apart ionic compounds into ions. polarity Molecules having uneven distribution of charges, high heat capacity Amount of heat energy needed to increase a substance's temperature, for example, the ocean does not change temperature quickly. high heat of vaporization Evaporation requires large amounts of heat, for example, (sweating cools your body). Ice floats on water because water expands when it freezes. For example, ponds freeze from the top down. water pH 7 (neutral) Equal numbers of +/- ions. Like dissolves like, polar dissolves polar, non-polar dissolves non-polar ( oil and water don't mix). Water can travel up a plant stem because of adhesion and cohesion. Fish gills can work because oxygen dissolves in water