Download AP Chapter 5 Study Guide - Bennatti

AP Chapter 5 Study Guide
Vocabulary
Biogeochemical cycle-cycling of carbon, water, nitrogen and other substances through the living and
nonliving environment
Combustion- rapid oxidation of organic molecules
Nitrogen fixation- conversion of N2 to ammonia (NH3) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria or by lightening,
combustion, industrial processes or volcanic activity
Nitrification- conversion of ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) to nitrates (NO3-) by soil bacteria
Assimilation- absorption of nitrates, ammonia or ammonium and conversion into plant proteins and
nucleic acids
Ammonification- the conversion of biological nitrogen compounds into ammonia and ammonium ions.
Denitrification- the reduction of nitrate to N2
Hydrologic cycle –water cycle
Transpiration- evaporation of water from leaves
Runoff-water running over the surface of the ground
Watershed- all the land drained by a body of water
Groundwater- water occupying cracks and pores in the ground
Photochemical smog- brownish orange haze formed by chemical reactions involving sunlight,
nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Some of the pollutants in photochemical smog include
peroxyacetyl nitrates (PANs), ozone, and aldehydes.
Acid deposition- sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions that react with water vapor in the
atmosphere to form acids that return to the surface as either dry or wet deposition.
Aerosols- tiny particles of natural or human-made pollution that are so small they stay suspended in
the atmosphere for days or weeks
Albedo- the proportional reflectance of Earth’s surface; glaciers and ice sheets have high albedos and
reflect most of the sunlight hitting their surfaces while oceans and forests have low albedos
Coriolois effect- the tendency of moving air or water to be deflected from its path to the right in the
Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere as a result of the rotation of the Earth
Prevailing winds- major surface wind that blows more or less constantly
Gyres- prevailing winds tend to blow in a circular pattern which create ocean currents in each ocean
basin that flow in a circular pattern
Upwelling- a rising ocean current that carries cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface
Lithosphere – Earth’s outermost rigid rock layer that is composed of seven major and several minor
plates
Asthenosphere- the region of the mantle where rocks become hot and soft
plate tectonics- the study of the processes by which the lithospheric plates move over the
asthenosphere
plate boundary- region where two tectonic plates meet
subduction- process by which one tectonic plate descends under an adjacent plate
seismic waves- vibrations that move through rock as a result of an earthquake
faults- a fracture in the crust along which rock moves forward and backward, up and down, or side to
side. Faults are often found along plate boundaries.
focus- the place within the Earth that an earthquake originates
epicenter-the location on the surface of the Earth directly above the focus
magma- molten rock found within the Earth
lava- molten rock that has reached the surface of the Earth
1.
Describe the role organisms play in the carbon cycle.
Plants, algae and certain photosynthetic bacteria remove CO2 from the air during
photosynthesis and fix (incorporate) the carbon into sugar molecules. The sugar is then converted into
other carbon containing molecules. Living organisms use sugar as a source of energy during cellular
respiration and convert sugar and oxygen into carbon dioxide and water. Carbon-containing
compounds move through the food chain as organisms feed on other organism and as decomposers
break down organic matter.
Occasionally the carbon in biological molecules is not recycled quickly back into the atmosphere as
carbon dioxide but is stored for millions of years as coal, oil or natural gas.
2.
Why are carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and water all important to living organisms?
These substances are found in all living cells
Which of these does not exist in a gaseous state as it cycles through the environment.
phosphorus
3
Describe two processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Photosynthesis, dissolving of carbon dioxide in the oceans
4.
List at least three processes that put carbon back into the atmosphere.
Respiration, decomposition, combustion
5.
Describe one way humans can affect the carbon cycle.
Deforestation, burning carbon-based fuels including fossil fuels and biomass fuels (wood, ethanol..)
6.
The atmosphere is _78_% nitrogen.
7.
Why are plants unable to use nitrogen gas directly to form proteins and nucleic acids?
The nitrogen atoms are held together by very strong triple bonds
8.
Which step of the nitrogen cycle does not involve bacteria?
Assimilation
9.
What role do nitrogen-fixing bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonia (NH3)
10.
In which step of the nitrogen cycle do bacteria reverse the action of nitrogen-fixing and
nitrifying bacteria by returning nitrogen (N2) back to the atmosphere?
denitrification
11.
Plants are able to absorb nitrogen when it is in the form of __NH3___, ___NH4+_ or _NO3- _.
12.
Nitrogen is fixed by ___nitrogen-fixing bacteria_, __combustion__, __volcanic activity__,
__lightening__, and __industrial processes__.
13.
Describe how humans can affect the nitrogen cycle.
-Combustion of fossil fuels convert gaseous nitrogen into nitrogen oxide causing acid
deposition
- use of fertilizers more than doubled the amount of fixed nitrogen in the global N-cycle
during the 20th century (fixed nitrogen refers to nitrogen bonded with H, O or C). This has caused
algal blooms, dead zones where decomposing algae have depleted the amount of dissolved oxygen, and
nitrate pollution of groundwater
14.
Describe how humans can affect the phosphorus cycle.
Phosphate pollution from wastewater and runoff of fertilizer reduces water quality causing algal
blooms
Human activities may accelerate long-term loss of phosphorus from the soil through erosion and other
processes
15.
Describe the role of organisms in the sulfur cycle.
Sulfur is an essential component of proteins. Plant roots absorb sulfate ions assimilating it and
incorporate the sulfur into proteins. The sulfur moves through the food chain. Certain marine algae
release chemicals that bacteria convert to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) which is released into the
atmosphere and helps condense water vapor into droplets influencing climate and weather.
16.
Describe how humans have affected the sulfur cycle.
Sulfur is a contaminant of coal and to a lesser extent oil. When these fuels are burned, sulfur dioxide
is released into the air contributing to acid deposition. Smelting of sulfur-containing ores of metals
such as copper, lead and zinc also releases sulfur dioxide into the air.
17.
How are changes in global climate during the last century related to the carbon cycle?
Combustion and deforestation lead to higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide traps heat reducing the amount of heat escaping into space and warming the planet.
18.
Diagram the water cycle.
See page 95
19.
Describe the role of plants in the water cycle. Plants release large amounts of water into the
atmosphere through transpiration.
20.
How have humans influenced the water cycle?
Deforestation reduces transpiration which can affect local precipitation. Global warming is causing
polar and alpine ice sheets to melt. Alpine glaciers are an important source of drinking water for
many people. Water is being pumped out of the ground and used faster than nature can restore it in
many areas. Water is being diverted for irrigation, power, industry and cities changing the flow and
volume of rivers.
21.
_31_% of the sunlight that reaches Earth is reflected back as light and the remaining __69_% is
absorbed.
22.
Compare the albedo of the following surfaces. Which has the highest albedo?
a. ice; b. land; c. water
23.
As polar ice caps melt, what does this suggest will happen to the percentage of sunlight that is
absorbed by the Earth rather than reflected?
A higher percent will be absorbed accelerating global warming due to the higher albedo of ice and
snow compared to liquid water or land
24.
What causes seasons?
The tilting of the Earth on its axis causes sunlight to not be evenly distributed across the planet
25.
Why does Florida have a warmer climate than Maine?
It is closer to the equator and because of the tilt of the Earth on its axis, receives a higher percentage
of the sun’s energy than Maine and other locations at higher latitudes
26.
What layer of the atmosphere is in contact with the surface of the Earth?
troposphere
How does the temperature change as altitude increases in this layer?
Decreases about 11 F (6 C) for every km as you rise through the troposphere
27.
In what layer of the atmosphere is the ozone layer found?
stratosphere
28.
Why is this ozone layer essential to life on Earth?
It shields Earth from much of the ultraviolet light that would otherwise strike Earth
29.
What layer of the atmosphere is hottest?
thermosphere
In what layer of the atmosphere does weather occur?
troposphere
In what layer of the atmosphere do commercial jets fly?
stratosphere
30.
31.
32.
List the layers of the atmosphere in order starting with the lowest.
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
33.
What drives the circulation of the atmosphere?
Variations in the amount of solar energy reaching different regions. Warm rises. As it rises, it
cools and sinks.
34.
What causes wind? Differences in atmospheric pressure
35.
List three factors that affect air pressure. Altitude, temperature, and humidity
36.
Winds tend to blow from areas of __high_ atmospheric pressure to areas of _low_ atmospheric
pressure.
37.
Earth rotates from __west_ to __east__causing surface winds to be deflected.
38.
Because of the Coriolis effect, winds curve to the _right_ in the Northern Hemisphere and to
the __left__ in the Southern Hemisphere.
39.
Describe the location and direction of each of the three prevailing winds.
Polar easterlies blow from the east toward the west
Westerlies blow from the southwest in the Northern Hemisphere and from the northwest in the
Southern Hemisphere. The Westerlies are found in the mid-latitudes
The trade winds are tropical winds that blow from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere
and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisphere
(see fig. 5.13 page 103)
40.
How does the Coriolis effect influence ocean currents?
The Coriolis effect (due to the rotation of the Earth) causes both wind and ocean currents to be
deflected or swerve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern
Hemisphere Show animation at
http://www.physics.orst.edu/~mcintyre/coriolis/North_Pole_GIF.html
41.
What causes surface currents?
Wind
42.
What causes deep ocean currents?
Density differences caused by differences in temperature and salinity
43.
Explain how ocean currents influence climate.
Currents moderate climates carrying heat from the tropics toward the temperate regions.
Between 11,000 and 12,000 years ago the ocean conveyer belt in the North Atlantic stopped. Europe
and North America experienced a period of intense cold during this time.
44.
What triggers an El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event?
Normally westward-blowing trade winds move warm water away from the west coast of South America
and toward Australia. Upwellings of cold nutrient-rich water caused by this create rich fisheries off
the west coast of S. America.
During an El Nino year, the trade winds weaken (or even reverse) and the warm mass of water
expands eastward to S. America.
45.
How does El Nino affect the fishing industry off the coast of South America?
Upwellings cease, nutrient levels drop, phytoplankton populations crash which in turn causes a crash
in the entire food chain devastating the fishing industry.
46.
How widespread geographically are the effects of El Nino? Choose one area of the world other
than the Pacific coast of South America and describe how El Nino affects that area.
it alters global air currents and has global effects. (See fig. 5.16 page 105)
47.
Describe how conditions change during a La Nina year.
Often occurs after an El Nino event and results from stronger than normal trade winds cooling the
eastern Pacific along the shores of S. America. Also has global effects but the effects are harder to
predict.
48.
Explain the difference between weather and climate.
Weather is a short-term phenomena. (It was a snowy winter this year, it is going to be hot tomorrow…)
Climate is the average weather for a region over a long period of time (many years)
49.
Where would you observe a rain shadow effect?
When moist air flows over mountains, a rain shadow effect occurs on the side away from the prevailing
winds.
How does a rain shadow effect precipitation?
As air masses reach mountains, air is forced to rise. As it rises it cools, clouds form and precipitation
falls. This side of the mountain receives a lot of precipitation. As the air mass passes over the
mountains the cool air sinks and warms. This side of the mountain is dry.
50.
What conditions may lead to the formation of tornadoes?
When a mass of cool, dry air collides with warm, humid air producing a strong updraft of spinning air
on the underside of a cloud.
51.
In what regions of the world do tropical cyclones form?
Over warm tropical ocean waters
52.
Tropical cyclones are called _hurricanes__ in the Atlantic, _typhoons_ in the Pacific and
_cyclones_ in the Indian Ocean.
53.
Why are tropical cyclones most common during summer and autumn months?
The tropical ocean waters are warmest during this time. Heat from warm water provides the
energy for these storms.
54.
How has the intensity of tropical cyclones changed since 1970? What might contribute to this
change?
Increase. Sea-surface temperature is the most important factor influencing the formation of
these storms. Global warming leads to warmer water and may result in more frequent and more
severe hurricanes.
55.
Describe how the Himalayan mountains formed.
Collision of the Indian Plate with the Asian plate
56.
57.
58.
How much more energy is released by an earthquake that is 6 on the Richter scale compared to
one that is 3 on the Richter scale?
303 = 27000
What causes tsunamis?
Undersea earthquakes, landslides or volcanic activity
Compare divergent, convergent and transform plate boundaries.
Divergent-plates move apart
Convergent- plates move toward one another
Transform- plates move alongside each other (horizontally in parallel but opposite directions)