Composition of Air and Earth's Lithosphere
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of tidal energy?

  • The wind's action on the Earth's water
  • The Earth's rotation
  • The movement of ocean currents
  • The sun and moon's action on the Earth's water (correct)

    • What is the purpose of a barrage in a tidal power plant?

  • To generate electricity directly
  • To reduce the impact of waves on the power house
  • To create a basin for storing water (correct)
  • To increase the head of the water

    • During which phase of the tidal cycle is water flowing from the sea to the tidal basin?

  • Slack tide
  • High tide (correct)
  • Low tide
  • Ebb tide

    • What is a major advantage of tidal energy compared to solar or wind energy?

    <p>Higher output can be obtained</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major disadvantage of tidal energy?

    <p>Variable output is obtained</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the power house in a tidal power plant?

    <p>To generate electricity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is a large amount of water necessary for the turbine in a tidal power plant?

    <p>Because the head is low</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the capital cost of setting up a tidal power plant?

    <p>Very high</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which element is present in the largest proportion in the Earth's crust?

    <p>Oxygen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate thickness of the Earth's oceanic crust?

    <p>5 kilometers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary component of the upper mantle?

    <p>Peridotite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements is NOT among the top eight most abundant in the Earth's crust?

    <p>Gold</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which layer of the Earth comprises the largest volume?

    <p>Mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about the Earth's crust is TRUE?

    <p>The oceanic crust is thicker than the continental crust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in the Earth's crust by weight?

    <p>46%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between the continental and oceanic crust?

    <p>The continental crust is thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of bacteria utilize inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide for energy?

    <p>Chemoautotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following organisms are classified as heterotrophs?

    <p>Carnivorous animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are organisms that obtain energy from organic compounds and carbon from inorganic sources called?

    <p>Photoheterotrophs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organisms are primarily responsible for decomposition in ecosystems?

    <p>Fungi and bacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which level of ecological pyramid depicts the number of organisms at each trophic level?

    <p>Pyramid of Numbers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of organisms consume dead plants and animals as part of their ecological role?

    <p>Decomposers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do scavengers primarily feed on?

    <p>Carcasses of dead animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following can be classified as a tertiary consumer?

    <p>Carnivorous birds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why biomass decreases at each trophic level in a natural ecosystem?

    <p>Energy is lost to the environment as heat during metabolic processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of decomposers in a natural ecosystem?

    <p>To break down dead organisms and release nutrients back into the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the flow of materials in an Anthroposystem differ from a natural ecosystem?

    <p>The Anthroposystem often has a significant physical separation between producers and consumers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of a balanced ecosystem?

    <p>A constant and optimal recycling of matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the 99:1 ratio of plants to animals in the Earth's living species?

    <p>It emphasizes the vital role of plants in supporting the entire food web.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would be the most likely consequence of extensive deforestation?

    <p>A disruption of the natural balance and potential ecosystem collapse.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of decomposers in the context of nutrient cycling?

    <p>Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a natural ecosystem and an Anthroposystem in terms of material flow?

    <p>Anthroposystems often involve a significant physical displacement of materials, unlike natural ecosystems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of the carbon trade system?

    <p>To ensure companies do not exceed a baseline level of pollution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT considered a major form of pollution?

    <p>Thermal radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pollutant is primarily associated with air pollution from vehicles?

    <p>Carbon monoxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon is created when nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight?

    <p>Photochemical ozone and smog</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes a source of soil contamination?

    <p>Herbicide release</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does cap and trade financially incentivize companies to reduce pollution?

    <p>By allowing them to sell unused pollution rights.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of pollution includes roadway noise and industrial noise?

    <p>Noise pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential effect of pollutants on human health and ecosystems?

    <p>Endangerment of human health and natural resources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Composition of Air

    • Nitrogen constitutes 75.523% of air by volume.
    • Oxygen makes up 23.133% of air.
    • Argon accounts for 1.288% of air, while carbon dioxide is at 0.035%.
    • Trace gases include neon (0.001267%), methane (0.00029%), krypton (0.00033%), helium (0.000724%), and hydrogen (0.0000038%).

    Lithosphere

    • The lithosphere is Earth's solid outermost layer, approximately 100 km thick.
    • Comprised of four layers: crust, mantle, inner core, and outer core, each differing in material and density.
    • The crust is Earth's outermost layer, varying from 5 to 70 km in thickness and includes continental and oceanic crust types.
    • Oceanic crust is denser, about 5 km thick, while continental crust is older, thicker (30 to 70 km), and less dense.
    • Earth's crust is formed mainly from eight elements: oxygen (46.6%), silicon (27.72%), aluminum (8.13%), iron (5.00%), calcium (3.63%), sodium (2.83%), potassium (2.70%), and magnesium (2.09%).

    Mantle

    • The mantle is beneath the crust, comprising around 83% of Earth's volume and almost 2900 km thick.
    • It has two layers: an upper layer (approximately 670 km deep, brittle) and a lower layer.
    • The upper mantle is believed to be made of peridotite, consisting mainly of olivine and pyroxene.

    Ecosystem Dynamics

    • Chemoautotrophs obtain energy from inorganic compounds and use it for biological functions.
    • Organisms categorized as heterotrophs rely on autotrophs for food; they include primary consumers (herbivores), secondary, and tertiary consumers (carnivores).
    • Photoheterotrophs absorb energy from light but require organic compounds for carbon, whereas chemoheterotrophs rely on inorganic oxidation for energy and organic compounds for carbon.
    • Decomposers, mainly bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.

    Ecological Pyramids

    • The Pyramid of Numbers shows the number of organisms at each trophic level; typically, biomass decreases from base to top due to energy loss during transfers.
    • On average, only 10% of energy is passed to the predator; 90% is used or lost.

    Anthroposystem

    • In ecosystems, most materials transition from producers to recyclers, with minimal flow through consumers.
    • The Anthroposystem has a small or nonexistent flow from producers to recyclers, operating as an open system.
    • It often features significant physical displacement between producers and consumers.

    Balanced Ecosystem

    • A balanced ecosystem maintains population balance between prey-predators and producers-consumers, allowing for optimal material recycling.
    • Plants comprise 99% of Earth's living species; loss of this balance (e.g., through deforestation) can lead to ecosystem collapse.
    • A dynamic balance is crucial among green plants (producers), microorganisms (decomposers), and animals (consumers).

    Tidal Energy

    • Tides, caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon, represent a renewable energy source.
    • Tidal energy can be harvested using hydraulic turbines, converting tidal movements into electricity.

    Tidal Power Plant Components

    • Essential components include a barrage (barrier with gates), one or more basins for water storage, and a powerhouse.
    • Barrages endure water pressure and wave impact, while turbines generate electricity by facilitating water flow during high and low tides.

    Tidal Energy Advantages and Disadvantages

    • Advantages:
      • Inexhaustible energy source
      • Minimal pollution
      • Low power generation costs
      • Higher output than solar or wind energy
    • Disadvantages:
      • High capital costs for setup
      • Variable output due to fluctuating tidal heads
      • Requires large water volumes for turbines
      • Carbon trade systems enable companies to buy and sell pollution rights, promoting overall pollution reduction.

    Environmental Pollution

    • Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances into the environment, endangering health and ecosystems.
    • Major forms include:
      • Air pollution: Emission of harmful gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide) leading to smog and health issues.
      • Water pollution: Caused by runoff, spills, and wastewater.
      • Soil contamination: Results from leaks and spills of harmful chemicals.
      • Radioactive contamination: Linked to atomic physics advances.
      • Noise pollution: Generated by transportation, industry, and high-intensity sonar.
      • Light pollution: Involves over-illumination and affects astronomical observations.

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    Quiz about the composition of air by volume and the structure of the Earth's lithosphere, including its layers and properties.

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