Questions and Answers
Why do solar cells need an inverter?
Their energy output is direct current.
Which type of coal has the greatest energy potential?
Anthracite
Which process is used to convert sea water into freshwater?
Desalination
When the population of organisms in an environment increases, what inevitably happens to the population growth rate?
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Which type of coal has the lowest rank based on its heating capacity?
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What's the primary reason that mammals and avian dinosaurs thrived in the Paleogene period?
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Why is the horseshoe crab an example of a living fossil?
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What marked the end of the Precambrian period?
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What are the two gases that escaped Earth's atmosphere during early formation?
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The soil erosion pictured here is the result of what?
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Which of the following statements about uniformitarianism is correct?
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What is/are one of the environmental waste products of nuclear energy?
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When did oxygen levels start to decline from 35 percent down to today's levels?
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Which material forms in sediments and is a precursor to hydrocarbons?
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Which process refers to the separation of Earth into the core, mantle, and crust?
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A shark would not be a good index fossil because?
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After chlorofluorocarbons were banned, which class of chemicals was used in their place?
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During the Carboniferous period, plants and animals grew very large due to high concentration of?
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Certain species of fish are unsafe to consume in high quantities because these fish?
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Which process led to the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide at the end of the Devonian period?
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Study Notes
Solar Energy
- Solar cells produce direct current (DC) energy, necessitating the use of an inverter to convert it to alternating current (AC) for household use.
Coal Types
- Anthracite is the type of coal with the highest energy potential, making it the most efficient for combustion.
- Lignite represents the lowest rank of coal, characterized by its minimal heating capacity.
Water Conversion
- Desalination is the process used to transform seawater into freshwater, essential for overcoming water scarcity issues.
Population Dynamics
- As the population of organisms grows, the growth rate shifts from exponential growth to logistic growth, reflecting limited resources and environmental carrying capacity.
Paleogene Period
- Mammals and avian dinosaurs flourished during the Paleogene period due to the elimination of predators caused by the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.
Living Fossils
- Horseshoe crabs are labeled living fossils because they share characteristics with extinct ancestral species and have survived over geological time.
Precambrian Period
- The end of the Precambrian period is marked by the emergence of complex, multicellular animals, indicating significant evolutionary advancement.
Early Earth Atmosphere
- During Earth's formation, hydrogen and helium were the predominant gases that escaped the atmosphere, shaping its early conditions.
Soil Erosion
- Soil erosion often results from harvesting renewable resources at unsustainable rates, disrupting balance and leading to degradation.
Uniformitarianism
- The principle of uniformitarianism states that geological processes observed today have been consistent throughout Earth's history.
Nuclear Energy Byproducts
- Nuclear energy produces radioactive isotopes as environmental waste products, posing challenges for disposal and safety.
Oxygen Levels in History
- Oxygen levels began declining from 35% to present levels after the Carboniferous period, altering atmospheric conditions.
Hydrocarbon Precursor
- Kerogen forms in sediments and serves as a precursor to hydrocarbons, which are vital for fossil fuel production.
Earth's Differentiation
- Differentiation refers to the geological process of separating Earth into its core, mantle, and crust based on density and composition.
Index Fossils
- Sharks are not ideal index fossils as they have survived for an extended period, complicating their use for dating geological layers.
Chemical Replacements
- Following the ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) became the alternative chemicals for similar applications, aiding in ozone layer protection.
Carboniferous Period Growth
- High atmospheric oxygen concentrations during the Carboniferous period facilitated the growth of excessively large plants and animals.
Fish Consumption Safety
- Certain fish are unsafe for consumption in large quantities due to accumulating metals from cancer-causing pesticides, posing health risks.
Carbon Dioxide Release
- The melting of glaciers at the end of the Devonian period caused significant carbon dioxide emissions, impacting climate and ecosystems.
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Description
Prepare for your Earth Science Exam 5 with these flashcards, which cover key concepts such as solar cells, coal types, and water desalination. Test your knowledge on population dynamics and other essential topics related to earth sciences. Perfect for last-minute studying or in-depth review.
