Environmental Science: Acid Rain and Light Behavior

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Questions and Answers

What is the pH level of acid rain?

pH 6

pH 7

pH 5 (correct)

pH 4

What contributes to the formation of acid rain?

Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides (correct)

Pesticides used in agriculture

Natural forest fires

Ocean evaporation

Which of the following is NOT an effect of acid rain?

Growth promotion of crops (correct)

Damage to tree leaves

Corrosion of buildings made of limestone

Acidification of lakes and rivers

What process is described by the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another?

Refraction Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between conduction and convection?

Conduction involves physical contact, convection involves fluid movement. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the protective coating on leaves due to acid rain?

It is worn away, affecting photosynthesis. Signup and view all the answers

Which color is perceived when all wavelengths of visible light except red are absorbed?

Red Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a base as mentioned in the content?

Calcium carbonate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered biotic factors in an ecosystem?

Predators Signup and view all the answers

What role do decomposers play in the nitrogen cycle?

They break down dead animals and waste, releasing nitrogen back into the soil. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a sustainable ecosystem?

It can maintain its functions without outside assistance. Signup and view all the answers

During cellular respiration, what is produced as a byproduct?

Carbon dioxide Signup and view all the answers

Which type of heat transfer is most effective in solids?

Conduction Signup and view all the answers

What happens to water during cellular respiration?

It is produced alongside carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT an abiotic component of an ecosystem?

Plants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the process of convection?

Transfer of heat in liquids and gases due to density changes. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an object appears red?

All wavelengths are absorbed except red. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes producers in a food chain?

Organisms that can photosynthesize. Signup and view all the answers

What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?

They recycle nutrients from dead organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What does the arrow in a food chain represent?

The flow of energy from one organism to another. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies is NOT effective in conserving ecosystems?

Encouraging overfishing to boost population. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of energy loss through heat in a food chain?

It limits the number of trophic levels in the chain. Signup and view all the answers

Which types of organisms are classified as detritivores?

Organisms that eat dead and decaying matter. Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of complex food webs?

They enhance population stability of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Acid Rain

Pure water has a pH of 7.
Normal rain has a pH of 6, slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide forming carbonic acid.
Acid rain has a pH of 5 or lower.
Pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides from cities dissolve in clouds, leading to acid rain.
Coal power stations release sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, forming sulfuric acid in rainwater.
Car exhaust fumes release nitrogen oxides, forming nitric acid in rainwater.
Acid rain harms rivers and lakes by acidifying them, killing aquatic organisms.
Acidified soil hinders plant, tree, and crop growth.
Acid rain can damage trees by wearing away protective coatings on leaves, hindering photosynthesis.
Limestone buildings and metal objects are corroded by the acid.

Behavior of Light

Light is absorbed by objects, showing the color reflected.
Red objects absorb all wavelengths except red, which is reflected.
White objects reflect all wavelengths.
Black objects absorb all wavelengths.
Light reflects off surfaces at the same angle as the incident ray.
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through mediums of different densities.
When light passes from air to water, it bends due to the difference in density, making objects appear bent.

Conduction & Convection

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between objects.
Heat energy causes particles in solids to vibrate and transmit heat.
Metals are excellent conductors due to their free electrons, allowing for faster heat transfer.
Convection is the transfer of heat through liquids and gases.
Heated particles gain energy and move apart, becoming less dense and rising, creating convection currents.

Ecosystem

An ecosystem encompasses living organisms (plants, animals) and non-living components of the environment.

Biotic and Abiotic Factors

Biotic factors are living things:
- Food
- Predators
- Disease
- Competition
- Plants
Abiotic factors are non-living things:
- Climate factors:
  - Temperature
  - Rainfall
  - Humidity
  - Wind intensity/direction
  - Sunlight
- Chemical and Physical factors:
  - Oxygen
  - Carbon dioxide
  - Other gases
  - pH of water
- Edaphic factors (relating to soil):
  - Soil type (formed from rocks)
  - Soil pH
  - Soil compaction
- Fire

Carbon/Oxygen/Nitrogen Cycle in an Ecosystem

Carbon: Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release it during decay.
Oxygen: Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis, which humans and animals breathe.
Nitrogen: Plants absorb nitrogen compounds through their roots. Animals obtain them by eating plants. Upon death or waste excretion, nitrogen compounds return to the soil and are broken down by decomposers.

Cellular Respiration

Cells break down glucose through chemical reactions, producing ATP for energy.
The process is represented by the equation: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2+ 6 H2O
This essentially means Carbohydrate + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + water

Sustainable Ecosystems

Sustainable ecosystems can support themselves without additional external assistance.

Movement of Particles by Conduction & Convection

Conduction: Heat transfer in solids through vibrating particles that pass the energy along.
Convection: Heat transfer in liquids and gases through the movement of heated, less dense particles upwards.

Absorption & Reflection of Light to See Colors

The wavelengths of light we see as colors are absorbed or reflected by objects.
Red objects absorb all wavelengths except red, which is reflected.
White reflects all wavelengths while black absorbs all wavelengths.

Energy in a Food Chain/Web

Food chains show the flow of energy from one organism to the next.
Energy flow is represented by arrows, indicating "eaten by."
Trophic levels are the different steps in a food chain: producers (plants), primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores), and tertiary consumers (top carnivores).
Detritivores break down dead organic matter into smaller particles.
Decomposers break down dead organic matter into nutrients for plants.
Energy from sunlight is captured by producers and flows through the food chain, with some loss as heat.
Food webs are complex interlinked food chains.
Omnivores feed on both plants and animals.
Diverse, complex food webs lead to more stable populations within an ecosystem.

Role of Respiration

Respiration plays a crucial role in releasing carbon dioxide, which is then used by plants for photosynthesis.

Strategies to Conserve Ecosystems

Mangrove Swamp Management:
- No overfishing or hunting.
- Minimal removal of mangrove trees.
- Encouraging mangrove growth supports animal life, cleans river systems, and protects coastlines.
Land Management:
- Low-temperature burning in small, mosaic patterns.
- Burning at specific times of the season for better control.
- Promotes the growth of native plants and helps native animals thrive.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to acid rain and the behavior of light. It explains the causes and effects of acid rain on the environment, as well as the properties of light absorption and reflection in different objects. Test your knowledge on these important scientific topics!