29 Questions
Which watershed is expected to experience the greatest fluctuations in water volume due to varying precipitation levels?
Watershed II
What is the primary purpose of hydraulic fracturing?
To create cracks in the rock to release gas and oil
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of watershed III?
Greatest fluctuations in water volume due to precipitation
What is the primary problem affecting stream water quality in watershed I?
Inability of light to penetrate the forest canopy
What is the decay rate of the radioactive substance in the graph above?
21 seconds
What is an advantage of using nuclear power to generate electricity?
None of the above
Which climatograph is most likely to represent a region with frequent fires and dry scrub?
D
What is the main reason for the decrease in electricity production from coal since 2008?
Increasing use of natural gas and renewable energy
Why did the use of nuclear energy increase from 1970 to 2010?
Low cost of constructing nuclear power plants
What is the trend in electricity production from renewable energy since 1970?
It has increased steadily
Which of the following is NOT a valid reason for the decrease in electricity production from coal?
Low cost of constructing nuclear power plants
What is the likely reason for the difference in growth rates between renewable energy and nuclear energy since 1970?
Federal laws restricting wind farms
What is the predicted outcome of the red pine distribution in the future?
Red pine distribution will shift northward into Canada
What is the primary reason for the high number of bird extinctions in the period 1901-2000?
Increased environmental disturbances from human activities
What is the primary mechanism of power generation in a fuel cell vehicle?
Hydrogen conversion to electricity
Which of the following describes the demographic changes in a country transitioning from a preindustrial to an industrial state?
Rapid population increase, declining birth rate, and decreasing death rate
How many more mammal species became extinct in the period 1901-2000 compared to the period 1801-1900?
45
What is the primary source of energy generation in a fuel cell vehicle?
Hydrogen
What is the least likely reason for the high number of bird extinctions in the period 1901-2000?
Adaptive radiation produced many new species of birds
What is the main difference between a fuel cell vehicle and a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle?
Method of energy generation
What is the most likely outcome of the switching from customary large-scale agricultural practices to no-till cultivation?
Reduced exposure of farmworkers to toxic chemicals
Which of the following is not a factor contributing to the high number of bird extinctions in the period 1901-2000?
Widespread glaciation
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a fuel cell vehicle?
Has an internal combustion engine
What is the primary consequence of human activities on tropical forests?
Loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction
Which of the following represents a positive feedback loop in the Arctic due to anthropogenic climate change?
Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water temperature increases -> more ice melts
What type of data should the student collect to test the hypothesis about the impact of solar panels on creosote bush?
Mortality rates of creosote bush under shaded and unshaded conditions
What is the potential impact of the solar power plant on the local ecosystem?
Disruption of native plant species and increased mortality
What is the primary purpose of collecting experimental data in this study?
To evaluate the environmental impact of the solar power plant on the desert ecosystem
What is the underlying cause of the potential impact of the solar power plant on the creosote bush?
Shade cast by the solar panels and reduced light availability
Study Notes
Watersheds
- Precipitation variations affect streams in watershed II the most.
- Watershed III has the highest percentage of impervious surfaces.
- The water quality of streams in watershed IV is excellent due to an abundance of nutrients.
Hydraulic Fracturing
- Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the process of pumping pressurized water with sand and chemicals into boreholes to release gas and oil from rocks.
Radioactive Decay
- The graph shows the decay rate of a radioactive substance, which has a half-life closest to 21 seconds.
Nuclear Power
- An advantage of using nuclear power to generate electricity is not mentioned in the options.
Climatographs
- Environment A is characterized by dry scrub with frequent fires.
Electricity Production
- Electricity production from coal began to decrease in 2008 due to the increasing use of natural gas and renewable energy.
Red Pine Trees
- Red pine distribution will shift northward into Canada due to environmental changes.
Extinctions
- Approximately 45 more mammal species became extinct in the period 1901-2000 than in the period 1801-1900.
- Human activities causing environmental disturbances led to the greatest number of bird species extinctions in the period 1901-2000.
Agricultural Practices
- Switching to integrated pest management or using cover crops can reduce the exposure of farmworkers and nearby residents to toxic chemicals.
Fuel Cells
- Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity that runs the motor.
Demographics
- As a country transitions from a preindustrial state to an industrial state, population increases rapidly, birth rate declines, and death rate remains high.
Geographic Regions
- Region C is experiencing the largest average annual temperature increase due to anthropogenic climate change.
- Fragmentation of tropical forests due to human activities is leading to a significant loss of biodiversity in region E.
Arctic Climate Change
- A positive feedback loop in the Arctic associated with anthropogenic climate change is: Arctic Ocean ice melts -> ocean surface water temperature increases -> more ice melts.
Experimental Design
- To test the hypothesis that shade from solar panels will increase the mortality of creosote bush, the student should collect experimental data on creosote bush mortality before construction begins.
Take this AP Environmental Science practice exam to test your knowledge on topics such as climate, electricity production, and environmental systems. This 2023-24 final exam includes multiple-choice questions with answers. Prepare for your APES exam and assess your understanding of environmental science concepts.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
