14 Questions
What is environmental science primarily concerned with?
Analyzing the relationships between human systems and the natural environment
What is the term for the variety of species, genes, and ecosystems in an environment?
Biodiversity
What is the primary goal of sustainable development?
Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs
What is the term for the measure of human impact on the environment based on resource consumption and waste production?
Ecological Footprint
What is the long-term warming of the planet due to increased greenhouse gases?
Climate Change
What is the term for the clearance of forests and degradation of land quality?
Deforestation and Land Degradation
What is the role of an environmental consultant?
Assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of projects
What is the term for the benefits provided by functioning ecosystems?
Ecosystem Services
What is the primary function of a lever?
To amplify force
What type of pulley is attached to a fixed point?
Fixed pulley
What is the primary benefit of using wheels and axles?
To reduce friction
What is the primary function of a screw?
To convert rotary motion into linear motion
What is the primary benefit of using inclined planes?
To reduce the force needed to lift or move objects
What is the classification of a lever where the fulcrum is between the effort and the load?
First-class lever
Study Notes
Environmental Science
Definition and Scope
- Environmental Science: interdisciplinary field studying the natural world and human impact on the environment
- Examines the relationships between human systems and the natural environment
- Draws from biology, chemistry, physics, geography, and social sciences
Key Concepts
- Ecosystems: communities of living and non-living components interacting in a specific environment
- Biodiversity: variety of species, genes, and ecosystems in an environment
- Ecological Footprint: measure of human impact on the environment based on resource consumption and waste production
- Sustainability: meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs
Environmental Issues
- Climate Change: long-term warming of the planet due to increased greenhouse gases
- Air and Water Pollution: contamination of the atmosphere and water resources
- Deforestation and Land Degradation: clearance of forests and degradation of land quality
- Conservation Biology: preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species
Environmental Management
- Sustainable Development: balancing economic, social, and environmental needs
- Environmental Policy: government regulations and laws protecting the environment
- Environmental Impact Assessment: evaluating the potential effects of projects on the environment
- Ecosystem Services: benefits provided by functioning ecosystems (e.g., air and water purification)
Careers in Environmental Science
- Environmental Consultant: assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of projects
- Conservation Biologist: preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species
- Sustainability Specialist: developing sustainable practices and policies for organizations
- Environmental Scientist: researching and addressing environmental issues
Environmental Science
Definition and Scope
- Interdisciplinary field studying the natural world and human impact on the environment
- Examines relationships between human systems and the natural environment
- Draws from biology, chemistry, physics, geography, and social sciences
Key Concepts
Ecosystems
- Communities of living and non-living components interacting in a specific environment
Biodiversity
- Variety of species, genes, and ecosystems in an environment
Ecological Footprint
- Measure of human impact on the environment based on resource consumption and waste production
Sustainability
- Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs
Environmental Issues
Climate Change
- Long-term warming of the planet due to increased greenhouse gases
Air and Water Pollution
- Contamination of the atmosphere and water resources
Deforestation and Land Degradation
- Clearance of forests and degradation of land quality
Conservation Biology
- Preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species
Environmental Management
Sustainable Development
- Balancing economic, social, and environmental needs
Environmental Policy
- Government regulations and laws protecting the environment
Environmental Impact Assessment
- Evaluating the potential effects of projects on the environment
Ecosystem Services
- Benefits provided by functioning ecosystems (e.g., air and water purification)
Careers in Environmental Science
Environmental Consultant
- Assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of projects
Conservation Biologist
- Preserving and protecting threatened and endangered species
Sustainability Specialist
- Developing sustainable practices and policies for organizations
Environmental Scientist
- Researching and addressing environmental issues
Simple Machines
Levers
- Rigid bar or beam that pivots around a fixed point (fulcrum) to amplify force and make it easier to lift or move heavy objects
- Three types of levers:
- First-class lever: fulcrum between effort and load
- Second-class lever: load between effort and fulcrum
- Third-class lever: effort between load and fulcrum
Pulleys
- Wheel with a grooved rim and a rope or cable wrapped around it to change the direction of force
- Two types of pulleys:
- Fixed pulley: attached to a fixed point, changes direction of force
- Movable pulley: attached to the load, amplifies force
Wheels And Axles
- Circular object that rotates around a fixed axis to reduce friction and make it easier to move objects
- Examples of applications: bicycle wheels, gears, and windmills
Screws
- Spiral ridge that converts rotary motion into linear motion to amplify force
- Examples of applications: screwdrivers, jar lids, and spiral staircases
Inclined Planes
- Flat surface tilted at an angle to reduce the force needed to lift or move objects
- Examples of applications: ramps, stairs, and ladders
Explore the interdisciplinary field of environmental science, which studies the natural world and human impact on the environment. Learn about ecosystems, biodiversity, and more.
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