Download Earth and Environmental Science Final Exam Prep

Earth and Environmental Science Final Exam Study Guide
Unit 1: Introduction to Earth Science and Mapping
1. Describe the four major spheres of the earth…
a. atmosphere includes everything in the air from the Earth’s surface out into space
b. biosphere includes all living things that are on Earth
c. geosphere includes all of the rock, soil, and solid earth that is found on Earth
d. hydrosphere includes all of the water that is found on Earth
2. What does a topographic map show?
a. What is a contour line? A contour line runs along areas that are all at the same
elevation or altitude
b.
When contour lines are close together, what does that tell you about the topography of
the land? (steep slope? gradual slope?) when contour lines are closer together, it tells you
that the land is more steep (each line represents a different elevation, so if you have many
contour lines close together, it means that the elevation is changing very quickly)
3. Define latitude and longitude. What is the difference between them?
Lines of latitude run from east-to-west; they tell you how far NORTH or SOUTH of the
equator you are; looking at a globe, “flatitude” lines lay flat or go side-to-side
Lines of longitude run from north-to-south; they tell you how far EAST or WEST of the
prime meridian you are; looking a globe, longitude lines are tall and run up and down
4. What line is found at 0 degrees latitude? Equator
5. What line is found at 0 degrees longitude? Prime meridian
6. Contrast a scientific hypothesis, a scientific theory, and a scientific law.
-
A scientific hypothesis is a testable statement used to predict the outcome of an
experiment (ex. “If I give a plant 4 cups of water a day, then it will grow better than a plant that
receives only 2 cups of water a day.”)
-
A scientific theory has been tested many, many times and is taken as an explanation for
how an event occurs; however, a theory can still be revised; for example, the Theory of
Evolution by Natural Selection or the Big Bang Theory
-
A scientific law explains how an event occurs; evidence is irrefutable and a scientific
law does not change; for example, the Law of Gravity or the Laws of Thermodynamics
Unit 2: Astronomy, Our Solar System, Outer Space
1.
How did our solar system form? Our solar system formed by the Nebular Theory, which
states that mass began to spin around a central point of gravity (a star, our sun);
eventually, the mass began to stabilize to form planets
2.
How do terrestrial planets differ from Jovian planets?
a. Identify and write a brief summary of the characteristics of the terrestrial planets.
the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are solid and rocky; they are
smaller than the Jovian planets but are composed of solid materials
b. Identify and write a brief summary of the characteristics of the Jovian planets.
The Jovian planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) are gaseous; they are much
larger that the terrestrial planets and are composed of cold gases
3.
How does the geocentric model of the solar system differ from the heliocentric model?
-
The geocentric model of the solar system proposed that the Sun and other planets
revolved around the Earth (“geo” = Earth, “centric” = center)
-
The heliocentric model of the solar system states the Earth and other planets revolve
around the Sun (“helio” = Sun, “centric” = center)
4.
How does the sun produce energy?
The sun produces energy by nuclear fusion, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium
atoms, producing heat and energy
(The SUN has fUSioN – you can make the word sun from the word fusion)
5.
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The Big Bang Theory is the proposed theory for how our UNIVERSE formed; 13.7 billion
years ago, a massive ‘bang’ occurred, and mass and other space materials began to rapidly
expand and move away from a central point in space; evidence for the BBT is that our
solar system and others are still moving away from each other and increasing in distance
6.
We are part of the Milky Way galaxy.
7.
In the scientific community, what is the accepted age of the Earth? Of the universe?
Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old (as is our solar system)
The universe is approximately 13.7 billion years old
8.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow.
9.
What type of eclipse will occur when the Moon completely blocks out the view of the Sun for an
observer on Earth? Solar eclipse
10. Compare and contrast perihelion and aphelion.
-
(fArther has an A, like Aphelion, and “helio” means “sun”)
-
Perihelion – when the Earth is closest to the sun
-
Aphelion – when the Earth is farthest from the sun
11. Compare and contrast perigee and apogee.
-
(fArther has an A, like Apogee)
-
Perigee – when the moon is closest to the Earth
-
Apogee – when the moon is farthest from the Earth
12. Describe the following motions of Earth:
a. Rotation – The spinning of Earth on its axis
b. Revolution – The movement of Earth around the sun
c. Precession – the slow tilt or movement of Earth’s axis (like a spinning top)
d. Nutation – a slight wobble or back and forth movement of Earth’s axis
13. The movement of Earth that allows us to experience day/night is known as rotation.
14. The movement of Earth that results in an Earth year is called revolution.
15. Earth’s tilt, in combination with its orbit around the Sun, causes the seasons.
16. The bending of an objects path due to the Earth’s rotation is the Coriolis effect.
Unit 3: Plate Tectonics
1.
Alfred Wagener’s hypothesis of continental drift stated that the earth’s continents had once
been joined as a single landmass called Pangaea.
2.
What are three major pieces of evidence to support continental drift?
a. Jigsaw shape of the continents (east coast of S. America fits into western Africa)
b. Matching fossils (fossils of the same species found on areas separated by huge
distances or across oceans)
c. Matching geographic formations (glacial striations/scratches that line up, mountain
ranges that disappear at one coastline and reappear across the sea)
3.
The outer core is made up of liquid-like molten rock.
4.
The lithosphere consists of large sections of the Earth’s crust that are broken-up into plates
that move on the asthenosphere.
5.
What motion in the asthenosphere is the driving force of plate movement? Convection currents
a. What happens when magma becomes warmer and less dense? It rises
b. What happens when magma becomes cooler and less dense? It sinks
6.
What is Pangaea? How Pangaea break apart? Pangaea is an ancient landmass; all of the
continents as we know them today were once connected in a giant supercontinent
a. Pangaea broke apart due to plate tectonics and divergent plates
7.
Describe and draw a convergent boundary, a divergent boundary, and a transform boundary.
a. A convergent boundary is where two plates move TOGETHER 
b. A divergent boundary is where two plates move APART 
c. A transform boundary is where two plates slide past each other
8.
↓↑
Identify the type of boundary:
a. Boundary where crust is being recycled back into the mantle convergent boundary
b. Place where two plates move horizontally pass one another transform fault
c. Place where two plates are moving apart divergent boundary
d. Boundaries where new crust is being created divergent boundary
e. Place where two plates collide convergent boundary
f.
9.
The San Andreas Fault is an example of a… transform fault
Identify the features formed at the three major plate boundaries. (Remember that there are two
different types of crust that are interacting with one another).
a. At a convergent boundary (either oceanic-oceanic, oceanic-continental), a
subduction zone occurs where one plate begins to sink beneath the other  this
leads to a deep sea trench --- and it can also lead to underwater/land volcanoes as
the plate begins to melt and magma rises up
i. At a continental-continental boundary, a mountain range forms  neither
plate is dense enough to sink beneath the other, so two plates push together
and rock builds up, taller and taller (examples: the Himalayas, Appalachians)
b. At a divergent boundary beneath the ocean, a mid-ocean ridge appears --- as the two
plates move apart, magma rises in the opening between the plates to create a ridge
i. At a divergent boundary on land, a continental rift appears --- as the two
plates move apart, magma rises to create new land (Great African Rift)
c. At a transform boundary, the two plates slide past one another, and features on
opposite sides of the boundary appear to move farther and farther apart; when the
plates stick and tension builds, earthquakes often occur (San Andreas Fault)
10. Subduction is the process that occurs at convergent plate boundaries in which old crust is
pushes back into the mantle and is melted.
11. Is the crust located in the mid-ocean ridges is older or younger than the crust found in the deep
sea trenches? The crust at mid-ocean ridges is YOUNGER than crust in deep-sea trenches
12. The Hawaiian Islands are formed by a phenomenon called a hot spot.
Unit 3: Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior
1.
What is an earthquake? Distinguish between the focus and epicenter of an earthquake.
An earthquake is a shaking of the Earth caused when tension along a fault line or between
two tectonic plates is released (as the plates move apart, sometimes the rock sticks,
creating tension).
a. The focus of an earthquake is the point beneath Earth’s surface where the tension is
released and where the earthquake waves originate. The epicenter of an earthquake
is the point on Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
2.
Earthquakes usually occur when pressure is released along a fault line.
3.
What three types of waves are produced from an earthquake?
a. Which one travels fastest (1)? P-waves
b. Which one arrives second (2)? S-waves
c. Which one is the slowest (3)? Surface waves
d. What is the speed and motion of a P-wave? S-wave? Surface waves?
4.
How many seismic stations do you need to determine the epicenter? 3
a. To determine the epicenter of an earthquake, you use the difference in arrival times
between P-waves and S-waves.
5.
Earthquake Measurement
a. Which scale measures the amount of energy released by an earthquake? Richter scale or
Moment Magnitude scale
b. The amount of damage? Modified Mercalli Intensity scale
6.
What is a tsunami? How does a tsunami form? A tsunami is a large ocean wave generated
when a large amount of water is displaced on the ocean floor; when an earthquake occurs,
sometimes a plate shifts upward as the tension is released, and this upward movement
displaces water and causes a tsunami wave
Unit 3 Rocks:
1. Igneous rocks are formed when magma or lava cools.
a. Intrusive rocks are formed when magma cools and hardens beneath the surface
b. Igneous rocks that cool quickly on Earth’s surface are extrusive.
2. Sedimentary rocks are formed by weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction and cementation
of sediments.
a. Sedimentary rocks are important in discussing geologic time because they often contain
fossils.
3. Metamorphic rocks can form when heat and pressure are applied to existing igneous or
sedimentary rocks.
4. Distinguish between lava and magma. Lava is found ON THE SURFACE, magma is found
BENEATH THE SURFACE
5. Draw a picture of the rock cycle that includes the following terms: sedimentary rocks,
metamorphic rocks, igneous rocks, heat and pressure, weathering, sediments, compaction
and cementation, melting, and lava.
http://scienceviews.com/geology/images/rockcycle.jpg
Unit 3 Weathering, Soil, and Mass Movements
1.
What is mechanical weathering? List examples. Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks
are broken down into smaller sizes but do not change their composition; mechanical
weathering can occur by wind or water abrasion, exfoliation, or frost weathering
2.
What is chemical weathering? List examples. Chemical weathering occurs when rocks are
worn away and are changed in composition; chemical weathering can occur when acidic
water reacts with limestone or when a chemical reaction occurs on the surface of a rock
3.
Frost wedging is the repeated thawing and freezing of water in the cracks of rocks.
4.
What are three factors that affect the rate of weathering? Temperature (how hot or cold),
surface area (the larger the surface area, the faster weathering occurs), climate (amount of
precipitation)
5.
Erosion is the transport or movement of sediments by wind, water, gravity, animals/plants, or
human activity.
6.
The two major components of soil are decayed plants or animals (biological material, organic
matter) and small, weathered pieces of rock.
7.
What is the composition of soil horizon A? Horizon B? Horizon C?
a. Soil horizon A is composed of decayed biological materials and small bits of
weathered rock; sometimes called ‘humus’; the most fertile, nutrient-rich horizon;
b. Soil horizon B is composed of leached soil and does not contain many nutrients
c. Soil horizon C is composed of partially weathered parent material and sits right
above the bedrock, the solid piece of rock/crust
8.
Materials such as sand with large connected pores have a high permeability and porosity.
9.
What is a mass movement? What is the force behind these movements? A mass movement is
the rapid downhill movement of soil, rock, mud, snow, or volcanic materials; gravity is
the main force behind these movements --- loose particles are pulled down by gravity
10. Describe the different types of mass movements and their relative speeds. Landslides,
mudslides, avalanches (fast), lahar flows (fast, medium fast), soil creep (very slow)
Study the diagram. Then answer the following questions.
11. Arrange the three sizes of soil particles, from largest to smallest.
12. How would you classify a soil that contains 60% sand, 30% silt, and 10% clay? Sandy loam
13. How would you classify a soil that contains 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay? Loam
a. Why is this type of soil so great for agriculture? Lots of nutrients, retains water well,
dark brown, fertile
Unit 5 Running Water and Freshwater
1. Draw a diagram of the water cycle that includes the following processes: precipitation,
evaporation, condensation, transpiration, surface water, groundwater, infiltration, runoff.
http://www.spokaneaquifer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/watercycle-f.jpg
http://www.wpb.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2011/05/Water-Cycle2.jpg
2. What percentage of all the water on Earth is freshwater? 3%
3. What percentage of Earth’s water is useable and accessible freshwater? Less than 1%
4. A large area of land in which water drains to form a river system is called a watershed.
5. What is the difference between porosity and permeability? Porosity refers to the amount of
space between individual soil particles (the more space, the more open pores and the
higher the porosity); Permeability refers to how well water flows through the soil (the more
pore space/higher porosity, the better that water will flow and the higher the permeability)
6. An aquifer is an underground water source.
7. The zone of saturation is an area below the surface that is saturated with water.
8. List some sources of groundwater pollution.
Fracking can release toxic chemicals and gases into groundwater or aquifers. Huge landfills
can leak pollutants through the soil over many years.
9. Common sources of water pollution include sewage disposal and farm runoff.
10. Define point source and non-point source pollution. Give an example of each.
A point source of solution is more specific and easily identifiable – you can “point” to it,
literally. For example, that pipe from the factory over is leaking sewage into the river.
A nonpoint source of solution is less specific and not easily identifiable. For example, rain
washes over downtown Raleigh and the runoff contains pollutants; it is not easy to identify
where those pollutants specifically started from.
11. What is the formula for water? H2O
Unit 5 The Dynamic Ocean
1. How much of the Earth’s surface is covered by ocean water? Approximately 70%
2. What is salinity? Salinity is the concentration of (how much) salt is dissolved in water
a. Identify the most common salt in seawater. Sodium chloride (NaCl)
3. How does temperature affect the density of seawater?
a. When water gets warmer or less salty, it gets less dense and it rises;
b. When water gets cooler or more salty, it gets more dense and it sinks.
c. Which layer of the ocean experiences a rapid change in density with depth? thermocline
4. What is the deflection of ocean currents as a result of earth’s rotation called? the Coriolis effect
5. Why is upwelling important? Upwelling is when deep ocean currents rise up to the surface as
they hit a land mass; upwelling is important because it brings minerals and nutrients from
the deep ocean up to the surface, and these nutrients support sea and bird life
6. From where do ocean waves obtain their energy? Wind blowing over the ocean surface causes
waves to move in the direction of the wind (wind itself is caused by air moving from high to
low pressure, caused by the uneven heating of air, which is caused by the sun)
7. What force produces tides? Gravity (the effect of the moon’s gravity pulling on Earth)
8. Contrast neap and spring tides…what does the sun-earth-moon system look like during each?
http://sanibelseaschool.org/classroom/wp-content/uploads/image001.jpg
http://bayoffundy.com/assets/spring-vs-neap-tide-large1.jpg
9. Define, draw, and list a disadvantage for the following beach erosion prevention structures:
a. Sea wall
i. Prevents erosion and protects town from waves but is less scenic (where’s the sand?)
ii.
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/media/uploads/2010/01/sea_wall.jpg
b. Breakwater
i. Decreases erosion; difficult for large ships to traverse, reduces beach appearance
ii.
iii.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/13/images/E-Breakwater%201_small.jpg
http://www.vims.edu/features/_photosets/breakwaters/beach.jpg
c. Beach groin
i. Prevents longshore erosion but results in uneven sand distribution
d. Beach nourishment
i. Decreases erosion but is expensive; not a permanent solution
ii.
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/beach-nourishment-to-replace-sand-eroded-waves-24337307.jpg
e. Vegetation (sand dunes)
i. Holds sand in place but doesn’t protect immediate shoreline
ii. http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/19/34/193459_e456cb21.jpg
Unit 4 The Atmosphere: Structure and Climate
1. What is the composition of the atmosphere (what gases)? In what percentages are they found?
Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), other gases (1%)
2. Describe the three main types of clouds.
a. Low flat gray clouds associated with rain are stratus clouds
b. Cumulus clouds are puffy and white; associated with fair weather
c. Cold high altitude clouds made of ice crystals are called troposphere clouds.
3. List the layers of the atmosphere. Describe or draw the temperature and pressure changes as you
move away from Earth’s surface. Troposphere  stratosphere  mesosphere  thermosphere
- temperature changes are seen in the diagram below
- as the altitude (distance from earth) increases, air pressure decreases
http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter1/graphics/vert_temp.gif
4. Read each description carefully and name the atmospheric layer it describes.
a. contains ozone - stratosphere
b. gradually blends into space - thermosphere
c. layer in which we live - troposphere
d. warmest layer in the atmosphere - mesosphere
e. layer in which weather happens - troposphere
5. Describe the ozone layer. What is its significance?
The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere. Ozone (O3) molecules protect Earth from
harmful UV radiation emitted by the sun.
6. What molecule results in the hole in the ozone layer? CFCs (short for chlorofluorocarbons)
7. What causes the seasons? The tilt of Earth’s axis as it revolves around the sun
8. Describe the three major mechanisms for heat transfer.
a. Radiation – heat is transferred by electromagnetic waves (ex. as the sun’s rays shines
down on earth, the heat in the sun’s rays warm the air
b. Conduction – heat is transferred by direct contact (ex. when I touch a hot pan, the
heat from the pan moves into my hand)
c. Convection – heat is transferred by convection currents; warm materials (water, air)
rise and cooler materials sink, and temperature changes with the current
9. Which heats and cools faster, land or water? Land heats and cools faster than water
10. Compare and contrast tropical, temperate, and polar climate zones.
a. Tropical – between 0-23.5 degrees latitudes
i. The sun is overhead year-round; warmest temperatures, highest precipitation
b. Temperate – between 23.5-66.5 degrees latitudes
i. The sun’s intensity varies due to earth’s tilt; temperate climates have
distinctive seasons and vary in temperature/precipitation
c. Polar – between 66.5-90 degrees latitudes
i. The sun’s intensity is weak; because of earth’s tilt, polar climates have six
weeks of sunlight in summer and six weeks of night during winter; polar
climates have the coolest temperatures and little precipitation
11. Which climate is located between 66 ½ ° and 23 ½ ° latitudes? Temperate climates
12. Average yearly temperature and precipitation are two factors used to classify climate.
13. How does weather differ from climate? Weather is the day-to-day atmospheric conditions in a
specific area, while climate is the year-to-year average temperature and precipitation. For
example, we live in a temperate climate where the weather last Wednesday was rainy.
14. What is an urban heat island? An urban heat island is a microclimate. Because of the
concrete, metal, and lack of grass, cities absorb more heat and have higher temperatures
on average than the grassy, wooded areas that surround them.
15. What is the rain shadow effect? Draw a picture that includes the words leeward and windward.
The rain shadow effect is caused by a mountain range that blocks rain-carrying clouds. As
clouds reach a mountain range and begin to rise on the windward side, temperatures cool
and water (precipitation) falls. The windward side receives a lot of rain. As the clouds sink
on the leeward side, they are dry and do not contain much precipitation. The leeward side
of a mountain is in the rain shadow and is very dry.
http://www.edusolution.com/edusolution2/earthsci/june2002/ques39.gif
Unit 4: Air Pressure, Wind, and Weather
1.
A scientist who studies weather is called a meteorologist
2.
What is the ultimate energy source that drives all wind? The energy source that drives wind
is the sun. As the sun warms the air, it rises, and other air moves in to fill the space that
the rising air has left behind (this is wind). The sun’s energy can also create high and low
pressure systems, and air moves from high to low pressure systems (wind).
3.
Define isobars. How are isobars related to wind speed? Isobars are lines used to show areas
that are at similar pressures. When isobars are closer together, it means that pressure is
changing more rapidly and that wind is moving faster (higher wind speed).
4.
Draw how winds blow around pressure centers in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
You won’t need to know this for the final exam!!! This is just a review question.
5.
What kind of weather is associated with a low-pressure system? A high-pressure system?
Stormy, cloudy, rainy weather is associated with low-pressure systems. Sunny, clear skies
are associated with high-pressure systems.
6.
7.
Name the weather instrument
a. measures wind direction
wind sock, weather vane
b. measures wind speed
anemometer
c. measures temperature
thermometer
d. measures humidity
hygrometer
e. measures air pressure
barometer
Describe El Nino….what is it? How often does it occur? What effect does it have on weather
patterns globally and in the southeastern US? El Nino occurs every 2-12 years. It occurs
when the water temperatures rise in the Pacific Ocean and overall water temperatures are
warmer than usual. An El Nino event changes worldwide weather patterns. Areas that are
typically dry tend to flood, and areas that are typically rainy experience droughts.
8.
Describe La Nina…what is it? How often does it occur? What effect does it have on weather
patterns globally and in the US? La Nina occurs when water temperatures in the Pacific
Ocean are cooler than usual. La Nina climate impacts are the opposite of El Nino impacts
(ex. wetter than usual in wet regions, drier than normal in dry regions).
9.
What are the four basic types of air masses and how are they classified?
a. Air masses are classified based on their source region, which is where they originate
or start from. For example, a maritime polar air mass originates over water (wet,
maritime) and from a cooler, polar region)
i. Continental polar (dry and cool)
ii. Continental tropical (dry and warm)
iii. Maritime polar (wet and cool)
iv. Maritime tropical (wet and warm)
10. What is a front? Describe the four types of fronts…include a description of what is happening,
map representation, and types of precipitation expected.
- Cold Front: a cold air mass advances on a warm air mass; warm air rises, precipitation
-
Warm Front: a warm air mass advances on a cold air mass; light precipitation, clouds
-
Occluded front: a cold air mass advances on a warm front; causes widespread rain
-
Stationary Front: a warm air mass and a cool air mass collide with no movement;
stationary clouds; persistent rain and storms
11.
Compare and contrast different types of severe weather…include description, formation, safety, and rating
scales.
a.
Again, another question you probably won’t need to know the details of…
Thunderstorms: a thunderstorm occurs when two air masses meet, forming heavy precipitation; tall
cumulonimbus clouds and upper-level troposphere clouds form stormy weather conditions,
thunder, and lightning
b.
Tornadoes: a tornado is a violently rotating column of air that forms when two air masses meet and
form a thunderstorm; a horizontal spinning mass of air from the storm from can be turned upward
by a change in wind speed/direction – the vertical spinning mass of air can form a tornado, which
has the capacity to reach winds of up to 300 mph; tornadoes are short-lived but can cause massive
damages; tornadoes are categorized based on their wind speeds
c.
Hurricanes: a hurricane is a tropical cyclonic storm which forms over a large area of moist tropical
water; warm air near the surface begins to rise, and cooler surrounding air moves in to take its
place – when this air warms, it also rises, forming a vertical rotating mass of air; when the air cools
in the upper atmosphere, precipitation falls; the storm system as a whole rotates due to Earth’s
rotation and can grow very large over the open ocean; hurricanes can reach winds of up to 155
mph or more and categorized based on their average wind speeds
12. The greenhouse effect is the phenomenon in which the atmosphere traps energy from the sun
and keeps heat close to Earth’s surface.
a. What are the main greenhouse gases? Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor
13. Global warming occurs when increased amounts of greenhouse gases cause global
temperatures to rise.
a. How have humans resulted in increased global warming? Driving cars that use fossil
fuels, industries that burn fossil fuels (fossil fuels emit CO2), producing large
amounts of cows (which emit methane)
b.
What are some of the consequences of global warming? Changes in global weather
patterns, melting ice caps and glaciers, rising sea levels, climate change
Unit 6 The Biosphere and Human Impacts
1.
Give a brief description of the different biomes we discussed in class. Be sure to list the biotic
and abiotic factors that are characteristic of each.
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/whittaker.jpg
2.
What is an invasive species? Why do invasive species cause problems? Invasive species are
species that live and exist in areas where they are not typically found; they are not in
their natural environment. When they thrive in a new area, they don’t have any natural
predators and they often outcompete or prey on other native species. Invasive species can
cause native species to become endangered or go extinct.
3.
What is a biological control? A biological control is a natural predator (like a ladybug or a
praying mantis) that is used to control an unwanted pest (like aphids) ---- it is used instead
of pesticides and is more natural.
4.
Environmental factors that limit population growth, such as floods and pollution, are limiting factors.
5.
Carrying capacity is the number of organisms a given environment can support.
6.
What type of growth is occurring in a population that is doubling its size every generation?
a.
Exponential
b. Logistic
7.
c. Stable
d. Sustainable
When a population exceeds the carrying capacity, which of the following will likely occur?
a. They will deplete their resources
b. The population size will continue to grow forever
c. The population size will start to crash until resources are replenished
d. Both A and C are correct
8.
e. Both A and B are correct
List some limiting factors of the human population. Disease, population density, access to
resources (food, clean water), space, crime, access to medicine and healthcare
9.
What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important to humans and other organisms on Earth?
Biodiversity is a measure of all of the different life on earth (bio = life, diversity = differences)
Biodiversity is important because living things depend on one another for survival.
Organisms feed on one another and rely on each other for resources; without biodiversity,
there are ‘missing links’ in food chains and other survival structures. Biodiversity is
important for human because we rely on living things for food, structures, and medicine,
among other things.
10. Describe at least four effects that deforestation can have on the Earth’s spheres. More CO2 in
the atmosphere, less oxygen, more soil erosion, loss of habitats, loss of biodiversity
Unit 7 Earth’s Resources and Sustainability
1.
What is a nonrenewable resource? List several examples. Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear fuels
(like uranium or plutonium), minerals
a. Nonrenewable resources cannot be used indefinitely.
2.
Coal, oil, natural gas, and peat are also known as fossil fuels.
a. Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel because it emits high amounts of sulfur into the
atmosphere. (Sulfur gas in the atmosphere can result in acid rain)
b. Oil spills are polluting and very difficult to clean up.
c. Natural gas is the least polluting fossil fuel because it has cleaner emissions, although
fracking can sometimes pollute aquifers and groundwater. Fracking is the process of
using highly pressured water and chemical to fracture underground rocks and
release stored gases.
3.
What is a renewable resource? List several examples. Wind, sun, water, trees
a. Renewable resources can be used indefinitely.
4.
FALSE: A society that uses resources faster than they can be replenished is a sustainable society.
5.
What is sustainable agriculture? How is it advantageous for the environment?
Sustainable agriculture uses natural methods like ladybugs instead of harmful pesticides
or herbicides. Sustainable agriculture methods include crop rotation, which helps keep soil
healthy and rich with nutrients. It can also include using manure or compost as fertilizer
instead of chemical fertilizers.
Using the terms conservation, mitigation, preservation, and restoration to complete #6-10.
6.
Mitigation describes taking steps to offset a known environmental impact, such as planting
trees in an area after cutting down trees in a nearby area
7.
Preservation is a way to protect environments by limiting human use & involvement
8.
Restoration refers to bringing a damaged system back to its healthy state
9.
Conservation is a reasonable use of resources
10. “RRR” stands for “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Explain what each of these R’s mean and explain
how they impact our environmental footprint.
See the “Alternative Energy and Sustainability PPT for answers for 10-11.
11. Of the six alternative energy resources listed below, list the source of energy for each resource.
a. Solar Energy: What are the advantages and disadvantages?
b. Nuclear Energy: What are the advantages and disadvantages?
c. Wind Energy: What are the advantages and disadvantages?
d. Hydroelectric and Tidal Energy: What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
e. Geothermal Energy: What are the advantages and disadvantages?
f.
Biofuel Energy: What are the advantages and disadvantages?
See the “Alternative Energy and Sustainability PPT for answers for 10-11.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Earth Science
1.1 What is Earth Science? pp. 2-6
1.2 A View of the Earth, pp. 7-10
1.3 Representing Earth’s Surface, pp. 11-17
1.4 What is Scientific Inquiry? pp. 23 and 24
Chapter 4 Earth’s Resources
4.1 Energy and Mineral Resources, pp. 94-101
4.2 Alternative Energy Sources, pp. 102-107
4.4. Protecting Resources, pp. 113-116
Chapter
Chapter
3.1.
3.2.
5.1
5.2
5.3
3 Rocks
5 Weathering, Soil, and Mass Movements
The Rock Cycle, pp. 66-69
Igneous Rocks, pp. 70-74
Weathering, pp. 126-132
Soil, pp. 133-142
Mass Movements, pp. 143-149
Chapter 9 Plate Tectonics
Chapter 8 Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior
Chapter 10 Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity
Chapter 12, Geologic Time
9.1 Continental Drift, pp. 248-253
9.2 Actions at Plate Boundaries, pp. 258-264
9.3 Plate Tectonics, pp. 254-255
9.4 Testing Plate Tectonics, pp. 265-268
8.1 What is An Earthquake? pp. 218-221
8.2
Measuring Earthquakes, pp. 222-228
8.3 Earth’s Layered Structure, pp. 233-237
12-1, Discovering Earth’s History, pp. 336-342
Chapter 6, Running Water
Chapter 14, The Ocean Floor
Chapter 15, Ocean Water and Ocean Life
Chapter 16, The Dynamic Ocean
16-1, Running Water, pp. 158-163
14-1, The Vast World Ocean, pp. 394-400
15-1, The Composition of Seawater, pp. 422-427
15-2, The Diversity of Ocean Life, pp. 428-432
16-1, Ocean Circulation, pp. 448-453
16-2, Waves and Tides, pp. 455-460
Chapter 17, The Atmosphere: Structure and
Temperature
Chapter 18, Moisture in the Atmosphere
Chapter 19, Air Pressure and Wind
CH 17-1, Atmospheric Characteristics, pp. 476-482
CH. 17-2, Heating in the Atmosphere, pp. 483-487
CH. 17-3, Temperature Controls, pp. 488-493
CH. 18-1, Water in the Atmosphere, pp. 504-509
CH. 18-2, Cloud Formation, pp. 510-516
CH. 18-3, Cloud Types and Precipitation, pp.517-522
CH. 19-1, Understanding Air Pressure, pp. 532-536
CH. 19-2, Pressure Centers and Winds, pp. 537-542
CH. 19-3, Regional Wind Systems, pp. 543-548
Chapter 20 Weather Patterns and Severe Storms
Chapter 21 Climate
CH. 20-1, Air Masses, pp. 558-563
CH. 20-2 Fronts, pp. 564-570
CH. 20-3, Severe Storms, pp. 571-577
CH. 21-1, Factors That Affect Climate, pp. 588-591
CH. 21-2, World Climates, pp. 592-599
CH. 21-3, Climate Changes, pp. 600-603
Chapter 22 Origin of Modern Astronomy
Chapter 23 Touring Our Solar System
Chapter 24 Studying the Sun
Chapter 25 Beyond Our Solar System
CH. 22-1 Early Astronomy, pp. 614-621
CH. 22-2 The Earth-Moon-Sun System, pp. 622-629
CH. 23-1 The Solar System, pp. 644-648
CH. 23-2 The Terrestrial Planets, pp. 649-653
CH. 23-3 The Outer Planets, pp. 654-659
CH. 24-3 The Sun, pp. 684-690
CH. 25-3 The Universe, pp. 715-721
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