Environmental Science Overview Quiz

The study of the interactions between living organisms and their physical environment, encompassing its chemical, physical, and biological components.

Refers to the Earth's outermost layer, composed of rock, soil, and minerals.

The gaseous layer surrounding the Earth, composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen.

The entirety of Earth's water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

The sum of all living organisms on Earth and their interconnected environments.

The total amount of energy in a system remains constant, but can change form.

The natural tendency is towards increasing disorder or randomness in a closed system.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

A comprehensive field that examines the interactions between living organisms and their surroundings, including natural and human influences.

A study that highlights the importance of protecting and conserving our planet, emphasizing the negative impact of human activities.

Issues like global warming, ozone layer depletion, and biodiversity loss affect the entire world, requiring international cooperation to address them.

The interconnectedness of economic progress and its impact on the environment, often leading to trade-offs between development and environmental protection.

The movement of industries from developed to developing countries, often contributing to environmental problems in the latter.

Developed nations' historical disregard for environmental impacts, leading to current global environmental issues.

A collective term for the various issues affecting the environment, such as pollution, climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss.

The Earth's outermost layer, composed of soil and rocks, forms the basis for life on Earth. It's a mix of inorganic materials like minerals and organic matter from decaying organisms.

Soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter is healthy and supports robust plant growth. However, factors like depletion of nutrients and excessive salt can harm soil health.

The world's population is increasing, while resources like land are limited. This creates pressure on the environment, leading to issues like soil degradation.

For sustainable growth, we need to find new ways to develop without harming the environment. This means balancing economic progress with environmental protection.

To survive and thrive, we need to carefully manage our use of natural resources. This means using them wisely without depleting them for future generations.

The physical environment includes non-living components like air, water, and soil. It provides the basic necessities for life.

The living environment encompasses all living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. They interact with each other and the physical environment.

Earth's environment can be divided into four sections: lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and biosphere (life). Each section plays a crucial role in maintaining life on Earth.

Ozone is a gas found in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemicals that were widely used in refrigerants and aerosols. They break down ozone in the stratosphere leading to ozone depletion.

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) measures a chemical's impact on the ozone layer compared to CFC-11. Chemicals with a higher ODP damage ozone more.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are substitutes for CFCs because they don't contain chlorine and have a zero ODP. They are considered more environmentally friendly.

Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

Classical smog is a type of air pollution formed mainly from burning coal, producing sulfur dioxide and particulate matter.

Ozone depletion leads to an increase in harmful UV-B radiation reaching the Earth. This can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to ecosystems.

Smog is a type of air pollution that reduces visibility and can harm human health. It can occur in two main forms: classical smog and photochemical smog.

The potential that indicates the tendency of an element to gain electrons and get reduced. It is the reverse of oxidation potential, with the sign changed.

Measures an element's tendency to lose electrons, becoming oxidized. This is the opposite of reduction potential.

A major component of soil, typically comprising 40-45% of its volume, consisting of broken-down rocks and minerals.

A crucial part of soil, about 5% of its volume, formed from decomposed plant and animal matter. It improves soil structure and provides nutrients.

A vital soil component making up about 25% of its volume, essential for plant growth and various soil processes.

Another essential soil component, comprising about 25% of its volume, crucial for root respiration and other biological activities.

Soil particles with diameters between 0.1 and 2 mm. They feel gritty and are relatively large.

Soil particles with diameters between 0.002 and 0.1 mm. They feel smooth and are smaller than sand.

The amount of heat energy required to change a substance from a solid directly to a gaseous state, without passing through a liquid phase, at a constant temperature.

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

The process of water changing from a liquid to a gas, often occurring at temperatures below the boiling point.

The process of water vapor changing back into liquid water, releasing heat energy.

The combined process of evaporation and transpiration, where water vapor enters the atmosphere from both bodies of water and plant leaves.

The amount of time a water molecule spends in a particular storage compartment, such as the atmosphere, rivers, or oceans.

The balance between the inflow and outflow of water in a given area, where changes in storage must equal the difference between the two.

Places where water is temporarily stored, including ice caps, soil, groundwater, oceans, and other bodies of water.