Ecosystems and Earth Systems Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which components are essential for an ecosystem?

Only the abiotic components

Both biotic and abiotic components (correct)

Only the biotic components

Only physical relationships between species

What is a primary factor that affects the living species within an ecosystem?

The abiotic conditions (correct)

The geographical layout only

The number of species alone

The presence of artificial elements

What happens to living organisms if the temperature of their ecosystem decreases?

They migrate to a different ecosystem without adjustments

They thrive without any change

They must adapt to the new temperature (correct)

They become independent of their environment

Ecosystems can be categorized as?

Natural or artificial Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the interdependence within an ecosystem?

Both biotic and abiotic components affect each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the Earth system based on its interactions?

It functions as a closed system with interrelated cycles. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main components of the lithosphere?

The crust and uppermost mantle. Signup and view all the answers

What can be said about the rates of processes in the Earth system?

Some processes occur instantaneously while others are extremely slow. Signup and view all the answers

How thick is Earth's crust approximately?

5–30 km. Signup and view all the answers

What lies beneath the Earth's crust in the lithosphere?

The upper part of the mantle. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the consumption of non-replenishable resources?

Environmental degradation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered part of the built environment?

Drinking water Signup and view all the answers

How do humans create components of the built environment?

Through skill and technology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to harmful changes in local habitats?

Urban development Signup and view all the answers

What type of resources are at risk due to unsustainable consumption practices?

Non-replenishable resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for creating products from natural resources?

To satisfy human needs Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to be a consequence of deforestation?

Loss of biodiversity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials is produced through skill and technology from natural resources?

Steel products Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for calculating energy?

Energy = power × time Signup and view all the answers

What role do photovoltaic cells play in solar panels?

They convert sunlight into direct current electricity. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC)?

An inverter Signup and view all the answers

How is energy from sunlight primarily stored by natural processes?

As chemical energy in plants and fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

Which small particles are involved in the production of electricity in photovoltaic cells?

Photons Signup and view all the answers

What component of a solar energy system is used to capture sunlight for thermal energy?

Solar collector Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about solar energy is false?

Photovoltaic cells work best in low light. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major limitation of direct current (DC) produced from solar panels?

It needs to be converted to AC for most common applications. Signup and view all the answers

How are natural resources categorized based on their origin?

Biotic and abiotic resources Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a potential resource?

It has not yet been utilized but has potential for future use Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following resources is classified as a non-renewable resource?

Natural gas Signup and view all the answers

What is primary energy?

The total energy in natural reserves before any conversion or distribution Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes actual resources from stock resources?

Actual resources are currently in use while stock resources are not usable yet due to technology limitations Signup and view all the answers

How is energy primarily defined?

As the capability of an object to do work Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about fossil fuels is correct?

They are formed from the decay of living organisms over geological time Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a reserve resource?

Petroleum that can be profitably extracted in the future Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ecosystems

An ecosystem is a group of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things that interact with each other.
Ecosystems can be naturally occurring or human-made.
Biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem affect each other.
An example of this interaction is the impact of global warming on an ecosystem.

Types of Systems

The Earth system is a closed system where materials cycle between the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
Changes in one part of the Earth system affect the others.
Earth's processes occur at different rates, some are very fast, others very slow.

Lithosphere

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of Earth, composed of the crust and upper mantle.
The crust has a thickness of around 5-30 kilometers.
The upper mantle is beneath the crust and is also solid, rigid, and relatively cool.

Natural and Built Environment

Humans utilize skills and technology to transform natural resources into products that fulfill their needs.
Examples include using iron ore to produce steel and lime, silica, alumina and iron compounds to create concrete.
Many interactions between the built and natural environments have detrimental effects, including:
- Consumption of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels.
- Consumption of resources without replenishment, such as hardwood forests.
- Harmful changes to local habitats due to activities like deforestation.
- Harmful changes to global habitats, leading to climate change.

Categorizing Natural Resources

Resources can be categorized based on their source, stage of development, and renewability.
Based on source, resources are classified as biotic (living) or abiotic (nonliving).
According to stage of development, resources are categorized as:
- Potential resources (e.g., oil reserves)
- Actual resources (quantified and qualified)
- Reserve resources (potentially extractable in the future)
- Stock resources (lacking the technology for extraction).

Energy

Energy is defined as the ability of an object or system to do work.
Energy exists in various forms, including heat, light, sound, motion, and electricity.
The sun is the primary source of energy for Earth, driving weather systems and warming oceans.
Fossil fuels were formed from the decomposition of prehistoric organisms over geological time.
Primary energy refers to the total energy contained in natural reserves or primary fuel flows (e.g., coal, oil, gas).

Solar Energy

Solar panels consist of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
PV cells are made of silicon atoms that lose an electron when struck by sunlight.
Sunlight consists of photons, which knock electrons off silicon atoms in PV cells, generating direct current (DC).
Inverters are used to convert DC electricity to alternating current (AC), suitable for household appliances.

Solar Thermal Energy

Solar thermal technology uses solar collectors to capture solar radiation for energy.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts of ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic interactions, types of systems on Earth, and the lithosphere's structure. Understand how human activities and natural processes affect these essential elements of our planet. Explore the dynamic relationships within ecosystems and the Earth system as a whole.