AP Environmental Science
1. Explain how the properties of air affect the way it moves in the atmosphere.
Air moves in the atmosphere due to differences in temperature, pressure, and density. Warm air is less dense and rises, while cold air is denser and sinks. This creates convection currents. The movement of air is also influenced by the Earth’s rotation and the interaction of air masses with landforms and bodies of water.
2. Identify the factors that drive atmospheric convection currents.
Atmospheric convection currents are primarily driven by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun. Warm air near the equator rises, creating areas of low pressure, while cooler air at higher latitudes sinks, creating areas of high pressure. This difference in pressure causes air to move from high to low-pressure areas, forming convection currents. Earth's rotation also contributes by causing the Coriolis effect, deflecting the movement of air.
3. Describe how Earth’s rotation affects the movement of air currents.
Earth’s rotation causes the Coriolis effect, which deflects moving air and fluids to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. This results in the formation of prevailing wind patterns like the trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies. The Coriolis effect influences the direction of air currents, contributing to the rotation of large-scale weather systems like cyclones and anticyclones.
4. Explain how the movement of air currents over mountain ranges affects climates.
When air currents encounter mountain ranges, they are forced to rise. As the air rises, it cools and loses moisture, resulting in precipitation on the windward side of the mountain. On the leeward side, the now-dry air descends and warms, creating a rain shadow effect. This leads to drier conditions and different climate patterns on the leeward side compared to the windward side.
5. Describe the drivers of human population growth.
Human population growth is driven by factors such as improved healthcare, which reduces mortality rates, and advancements in agriculture and technology, which increase food availability. Additionally, decreased mortality from diseases, higher birth rates, and social factors like cultural practices and access to resources contribute to population growth.
6. Read and interpret an age structure diagram.
An age structure diagram (population pyramid) shows the distribution of a population by age and sex. A wide base indicates a high birth rate and a young population, often seen in developing countries. A narrower base and wider middle indicate lower birth rates, characteristic of more developed countries. A balanced or inverted pyramid suggests an aging population with low birth and death rates, common in highly industrialized nations.
7. Describe how demographic transition follows economic development.
Demographic transition theory describes how a country’s population changes as it undergoes economic development. In stage 1, both birth and death rates are high. As economic development occurs (stage 2), death rates decline due to better healthcare and sanitation, while birth rates remain high. In stage 3, birth rates also begin to decline as people gain access to contraception and education, leading to population stabilization. In stage 4, both birth and death rates are low, with a stable or slowly growing population.
8. Describe how Earth’s tilt affects seasonal differences in temperatures.
Earth’s axial tilt (about 23.5 degrees) causes seasons by affecting the angle and duration of sunlight reaching different regions of the Earth. During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted toward the sun, resulting in longer days and higher temperatures. In winter, the North Pole tilts away from the sun, leading to shorter days and colder temperatures. The reverse happens in the Southern Hemisphere.
9. Explain how we define terrestrial biomes.
Terrestrial biomes are defined by characteristic climate conditions, particularly temperature and precipitation, and the organisms that thrive in those conditions. Biomes are typically classified into categories such as forests (tropical, temperate, boreal), grasslands, deserts, and tundra based on these climatic and ecological factors.
10. Interpret climate diagrams.
Climate diagrams (or climographs) display monthly temperature and precipitation data for a specific location. The x-axis represents months of the year, the y-axis shows temperature (often in °C or °F), and a second y-axis shows precipitation (in millimeters or inches). These diagrams help identify patterns in temperature and rainfall, and they can indicate the type of biome in a particular area.
11. Identify terrestrial biomes.
Common terrestrial biomes include:
Tropical Rainforest: High rainfall, warm temperatures, and dense vegetation.
Desert: Low precipitation, wide temperature variations, and sparse vegetation.
Temperate Forest: Moderate rainfall, four distinct seasons, and deciduous trees.
Tundra: Cold temperatures, low precipitation, and permafrost.
Grassland: Moderate precipitation, open landscapes with grasses, and occasional droughts.
Boreal Forest (Taiga): Cold climate, coniferous trees, and long winters.
12. Evaluate the importance of and ecosystem services provided by each biome.
Tropical Rainforest: Important for biodiversity and carbon storage; ecosystem services include air and water purification, and climate regulation.
Desert: Crucial for mineral resources; ecosystem services include soil formation and water filtration.
Temperate Forest: Important for carbon sequestration and timber production; ecosystem services include oxygen production and soil stabilization.
Tundra: Important for climate regulation and as a unique habitat; ecosystem services include regulating water flow and serving as a carbon sink.
Grassland: Important for agriculture; ecosystem services include soil fertility, water filtration, and habitat for grazing species.
Boreal Forest: Significant carbon sink and timber source; ecosystem services include regulating the global climate and supporting diverse wildlife.
Each biome’s ecosystem services contribute to the stability of Earth’s climate, biodiversity, and human livelihoods.
These answers are concise and focus on core concepts, as would be expected in an AP Environmental Science exam.
properties of air
temp, pressure, density
warm/hot rises (less dense), cold air falls (more dense)
creates convection currents
atmospheric convection currents
uneven heating of earth’s surface (tilt)
warm air near equator rises (low pressure)
cold air near higher latitudes sinks (high pressure)