Plate Tectonics and Earth's Atmosphere
68 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

During what period in geologic history did most coal reserves form?

300-350 mya

What is the primary landscape that led to so much coal production during that time?

Vast swamp forests, with abundant vegetation, bogs and marshes.

What does the term 'peak oil' mean?

It is the point at which oil production is at its highest, after which production declines.

Fill in the chemical reaction that happens during the combustion of fossil fuels: oxygen + ____________ → CO2 + H2O.

<p>fuel</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fossil fuel is most often used for electricity generation?

<p>Coal</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name another harmful gas emitted during the burning of fossil fuels.

<p>Sulfur dioxides or nitrogen oxides</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of fossil fuel does fracking extract?

<p>Natural gas</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the half-life of uranium-235 refer to?

<p>The amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary waste from a nuclear power plant?

<p>Radioactive waste from spent fuel rods</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some methods for conserving energy at home? (Select all that apply)

<p>Turn off lights when not in use (A), Keep thermostat low in winter (C), Buy energy efficient appliances (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe one environmental disadvantage of natural gas.

<p>Natural gas has a global warming potential 100 times greater than CO2.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological changes occur at convergent boundaries?

<p>Mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, and volcanoes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological changes occur at divergent boundaries?

<p>Seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological changes occur at transform boundaries?

<p>Earthquakes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Earth's atmosphere is composed primarily of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, and Water Vapor. Nitrogen makes up _______%, Oxygen makes up _______% and Argon makes up _______% of the atmosphere.

<p>78%, 21%, 1%</p> Signup and view all the answers

Carbon Dioxide makes up _______% of Earth's atmosphere.

<p>0.04%</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two layers of the atmosphere increase in temperature as altitude increases?

<p>Stratosphere and thermosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the atmosphere is the hottest?

<p>Thermosphere.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the ozone layer do?

<p>Absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy was used the most during the preindustrial era?

<p>Wood (biomass) and animals (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy was used the most during the industrial era?

<p>Coal (B), Oil (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is OPEC?

<p>Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is synfuel?

<p>Synthetic fuel designed to replace gasoline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of wood as an energy source?

<p>Can lead to deforestation and pollution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is crude oil formed?

<p>From the accumulation of algae and zooplankton that get trapped below layers of sand, then transformed by heat and pressure over millions of years.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of coal is shiny, deep black, and has the highest carbon content?

<p>Anthracite coal (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of government in encouraging energy conservation.

<p>Government can provide subsidies and tax breaks for energy conservation. They can also tax companies that use too much energy and establish regulations mandating conservation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the CAFE standards?

<p>Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards require car companies to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks to conserve oil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a solution to protecting common resources?

<p>Public transportation (B), Carpooling (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of the Tragedy of the Commons.

<p>It suggests that individuals will use shared resources in their own self-interest rather than in keeping with the common good.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is overburden in mining?

<p>Overburden is the material that must be removed before mining can begin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do tailings refer to in mining?

<p>Tailings refer to the leftover rock material after the extraction and purification process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is subsurface mining?

<p>Subsurface mining refers to mining operations conducted below ground level using tunnels and shafts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The mining of lower grade ores decreases the amount of slag and tailings produced.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mining is considered to have the least environmental impact?

<p>Placer mining (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is reclamation in mining?

<p>Reclamation is the process of returning soil and landscaping to approximate the original habitat after mining is complete.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

<p>Earth Overshoot Day is the estimated day that humans' use of resources surpasses the amount that the Earth can regenerate in one year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which resource is non-renewable?

<p>Fossil fuels (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is tertiary treatment?

<p>The use of ecological or chemical processes to remove any pollutants left in the water after primary and secondary treatment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What step in the water treatment process disinfects the water, removing bacteria?

<p>Just before discharge.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is at least one drawback to using chlorine?

<p>Chlorine can combine with other compounds and may lead to health problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one drawback to using ozone or UV light?

<p>These methods cost more and do not last as long.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Sanitary Sewer Overflow?

<p>During heavy rain, the treatment facility cannot handle the amount of water, so untreated waste is dumped into waterways.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these pollutants is a primary pollutant?

<p>Carbon dioxide from wood stove emissions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Coal combustion releases air pollutants including __________, sulfur dioxide, toxic metals, and particulates.

<p>carbon dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

The current levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are approximately ______ parts per million (ppm).

<p>400</p> Signup and view all the answers

All VOCs are anthropogenic.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of VOCs in forming photochemical smog?

<p>VOCs bind to nitrogen oxides, contributing to the formation of ozone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ozone layer in the lower stratosphere?

<p>To block harmful UV rays, preventing them from reaching the earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Acid deposition refers to precipitation with a pH of __________ or less.

<p>5.6</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does acid deposition reduce biodiversity?

<p>It changes the pH of aquatic habitats, leading to fish death and harming plant growth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two cities that frequently experience thermal inversion.

<p>San Francisco, Beijing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Copper is an example of a ______ resource.

<p>non-renewable</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can fisheries do to ensure fish populations are maintained?

<p>Leave a stock of fish large enough to reproduce each year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices can help balance carbon dioxide levels? (Select all that apply)

<p>Recycle paper products (A), Plant and protect trees (C), No till farming (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does thermal pollution have on oxygen levels in water?

<p>It reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen available.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name three sources or causes of thermal pollution.

<ol> <li>Discharge from power plants, 2. Sewage, 3. Rainwater runoff from urban areas.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Warm temperatures can lead to reproductive issues in fish.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are components of municipal solid waste? (Select all that apply)

<p>Wood (A), Electronics (B), Food scraps (C), Rubber (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to most of the waste produced by humans?

<p>It is often toxic and cannot be reused by the natural world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is essentially the benefit of waste incineration?

<p>It significantly reduces the volume of waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of waste are not allowed in a sanitary municipal landfill? (Select all that apply)

<p>E-waste (A), Paint (C), Rubber tires (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Methane is a byproduct of ______ decomposition.

<p>anaerobic</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is leachate?

<p>Water that passes through a landfill and picks up waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Plastic takes about 500-1000 years to decompose.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Waste-to-Energy?

<p>The process of getting energy from waste, either by burning it or through methane collection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the sludge from sewage during primary treatment?

<p>It is often converted into fertilizers or sent to a landfill.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Aerobic bacteria are the most efficient at breaking down organic molecules in sewage treatment.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Convergent Plate Boundary

Where two tectonic plates collide, often forming mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Divergent Plate Boundary

Where two tectonic plates move apart, creating new crust, often resulting in volcanoes and earthquakes.

Transform Plate Boundary

Where two tectonic plates slide past each other, primarily causing earthquakes.

Nonrenewable Energy Source

Energy sources that exist in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced (e.g., fossil fuels).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Renewable Energy Source

Energy sources that can be replenished naturally at or near the rate of consumption (e.g., solar, wind).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Earth's Atmosphere Composition

The atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and other minor gases (like argon, carbon dioxide).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Coal Formation

Coal forms from the buildup and compression of plant material over millions of years.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Crude Oil Formation

Crude oil forms from the remains of marine organisms that accumulate and compress under layers of sediment over millions of years.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Cogeneration

Generating electricity using steam, and then using the leftover heat to warm homes or businesses.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Fossil Fuels

Energy sources formed from ancient plants and animals.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

A chemical reaction between fossil fuels and oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water, and releasing energy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Proven Reserves

Fossil fuel deposits with a high probability of being extracted.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Unproven Reserves

Fossil fuel deposits with a lower probability of being extracted due to location or economic factors.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Peak Oil

The point at which oil production reaches its highest rate, followed by a decline.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Nuclear Fission

Splitting atoms to release energy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Half-life

The time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Control Rods

Devices used to regulate the rate of nuclear fission.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Thermal Pollution

The release of heated water from nuclear power plants, harming aquatic life.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Tragedy of the Commons

Individuals using shared resources for self-interest, depleting them for the common good.

Signup and view all the flashcards

CAFE standards

Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards that require car companies to improve vehicle fuel economy.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Ecological Footprint

Measures the environmental impact of an individual or group in terms of land, water, resource use.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Earth Overshoot Day

Estimated date when human use of resources exceeds Earth's ability to regenerate them in one year.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sustainability

Meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Overburden

Soil and rock removed before accessing ore during mining.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Slag and tailings

Waste materials left after mineral extraction and purification processes in mining.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Surface Mining

Mining method that removes large portions of soil and rock (overburden) to access the ore underneath.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sustainable Yield

Amount of resource that can be removed without exceeding the resource's growth/replacement rate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reclamation

Returning mined land to a similar state as before mining activity.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Tertiary water treatment

Removes remaining pollutants in water using ecological or chemical processes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Water disinfection method

Chlorine, ozone, or UV light used to kill harmful bacteria just before releasing treated water.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Common water disinfectant

Chlorine is the most commonly used disinfectant in water treatment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Chlorine drawback

Chlorine can form harmful compounds and may pose health risks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sanitary Sewer Overflow

Dumping untreated sewage into waterways during heavy rain when the treatment facility is overwhelmed.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sustainable Yield

The amount of a renewable resource that can be taken without reducing the available supply.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Non-renewable Resource

Resources that exist in a fixed amount and cannot be replaced at a sustainable level.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Thermal Pollution

When heat released into water produces negative effects on aquatic organisms.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Eutrophication

Nutrient overload in water, leading to dead zones and fish death.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Solid Waste

Discarded materials that are not liquid or gas.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Landfill

A common method for disposing of solid waste.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Leachate

Contaminated water that seeps through a landfill.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Waste Incineration

Burning waste at high temperatures to reduce volume.

Signup and view all the flashcards

E-waste

Discarded electronic devices (TVs, phones).

Signup and view all the flashcards

Composting

Decomposition of organic matter into fertilizer.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Plate Tectonics

  • Earth's systems interact, resulting in balance over time
  • Geological changes occur at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries
  • Convergent boundaries create mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, and volcanoes
  • Divergent boundaries cause seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes
  • Transform boundaries result in earthquakes
  • Maps show global plate boundaries, locating volcanoes, earthquakes, hot spots, and faults
  • Earthquakes occur when stress overcomes a locked fault, releasing stored energy

Earth's Atmosphere

  • The atmosphere is made of major gases with different abundances
  • Layers based on temperature gradients: exosphere, thermosphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and troposphere
  • Thermosphere and stratosphere increase in temperature with altitude
  • Troposphere and mesosphere decrease in temperature with altitude
  • Thermosphere is the hottest layer due to absorbing solar rays
  • Troposphere is the most dense layer due to gravity
  • Stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs ultraviolet radiation

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

KEY Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources PDF

Description

Explore the dynamic interactions of Earth's systems through this quiz on plate tectonics and the atmosphere. Learn about geological changes at different boundaries, the composition of the atmosphere, and the structure of its layers. Test your knowledge on earthquakes, volcanic activity, and atmospheric phenomena.

More Like This

Earth's Structure and Composition Quiz
9 questions

Earth's Structure and Composition Quiz

SatisfyingNumber avatar
SatisfyingNumber
Plate Tectonics and Earth's Atmosphere
38 questions

Plate Tectonics and Earth's Atmosphere

DurableCornflower avatar
DurableCornflower
Earth Science: Plate Tectonics and Layers
21 questions

Earth Science: Plate Tectonics and Layers

AdorableJasper5786 avatar
AdorableJasper5786
Geology and Atmospheric Science Quiz
5 questions

Geology and Atmospheric Science Quiz

ExcitedDialogue2916 avatar
ExcitedDialogue2916
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser