Grade 10 ST and EST Notes - Unit 4 - PDF

Bear Bones Unit 4 - Currents of energy Grade 10 ST and EST notes Content ST - Ocean Circulation - Combustion - Energy resource - Earth-Moon system (gravity) - Air mass - Atmospheric circulation - Cyclone and anticyclone - Energy resource (atmosphere and hydrosphere) EST - Nuclear Stabi...

Bear Bones Unit 4 - Currents of energy Grade 10 ST and EST notes Content ST - Ocean Circulation - Combustion - Energy resource - Earth-Moon system (gravity) - Air mass - Atmospheric circulation - Cyclone and anticyclone - Energy resource (atmosphere and hydrosphere) EST - Nuclear Stability - Radioactivity - Fission - Fusion - Prevailing winds - Contamination - Ozone Oceanic Circulation What is Oceanic Circulation? Oceanic circulation refers to the movement of water in the oceans, both on the surface and deep below. Factors that affect surface currents: 1. Wind: Pushes water across the surface. 2. Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect): Causes currents to bend and swirl. 3. Temperature: Warm water rises; cold water sinks. 4. Salinity: Saltier water is heavier and sinks. 5. Density: Cold, salty water is denser and moves to deeper layers. Thermohaline Circulation (Global Conveyor Belt): Moves warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water back to the equator.  Example: The Gulf Stream carries warm water to the east coast of North America, making winters less cold. Why it matters: Thermohaline circulation regulates global climate, keeping it stable. Videos The Gulf Stream Explained How do ocean currents work? - Jennifer VerduinHow Do Oceans Circulate? Crash Course Geography #9 Air Mass What is an Air Mass? A large body of air with the same temperature, humidity, and pressure. Types of Air Masses: 1. Continental: Dry, forms over land. 2. Maritime: Moist, forms over water. A) Polar: Cold, forms near the poles. B) Tropical: Warm, forms near the equator. Formation of Clouds: When two different air masses meet, warm air rises over cold air.  As the warm air cools, water vapor condenses, forming clouds. Cyclone and Anticyclone What is a Cyclone? A low-pressure system where warm air rises. Brings cloudy, windy, and rainy weather. How does it form? 1. Warm air rises, creating low pressure. 2. Air moves toward the low-pressure center. 3. In the Northern Hemisphere, it spins counterclockwise. What is an Anticyclone? A high-pressure system where air sinks. Brings clear, calm, and sunny weather. How does it form? 1. Cool air sinks, creating high pressure. 2. Air moves outward from the high-pressure center. 3. In the Northern Hemisphere, it spins clockwise. Videos Coriolis Effect: How Hurricanes Form & Why they Spin in different ways in North and South Hemisphere Formation Of A Tropical Cyclone Cyclones and Anticyclones Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Resources What are Energy Resources? Renewable Can be replaced naturally (e.g., solar, wind, hydro). Nonrenewable Limited and take millions of years to form (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas). Technologies to Produce Electricity: 1. Lithosphere: Coal, natural gas, nuclear energy, Biomass and Geothermal Energy Nuclear 101 Renewable Energy 101: How Does Biomass Energy Work? Renewable Energy 101: How Does Geothermal Energy Work? 2. Hydrosphere:  Hydroelectric dams, tidal energy. Hydropower 101 Tidal Power 101 How It Works: Wave Energy 3. Atmosphere: Wind turbines, solar panels. Wind Power 101 Solar 101 Impact of Energy Use: 1. Lithosphere: Mining damages land. 2. Hydrosphere: Dams disrupt ecosystems. 3. Atmosphere: Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution and climate change. Fossil fuels energy Fossil Fuels 101 Oil: Oil 101 Formed from small marine animals and algae that lived in the seas long ago. When they die, they sink to the seafloor and get covered in sand, silt, other rocks and minerals. Under pressure from the layers of sediment above them, they slowly turn to oil. Natural gas: Natural Gas 101 Made the same way & source as oil but higher temperature Coal: Coal 101 from terrestrial plants and trees that once grew in swamps. Over time, these swamps were buried in sand & silt. Organic residue was compressed and turned to coal. Advantages and disadvantages of Fossil Fuels Often the form of energy most readily available is not the most useful form. Coal can be burned to provide thermal energy, which can be converted to electrical or mechanical energy. Carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, is released when you burn fuels, which adds to global warming. Advantage Disadvantage - Readily available and easy to distribute - Not renewable - Produce a large amount of energy - Produces greenhouse gases - leading to global warming - Impurities in coal (sulphur and nitrogen) cause acid rain Nuclear energy A radioactive element that is found in the Earth’s crust. It works by splitting the nucleus of an atom of (Uranium or Plutonium), capturing the energy released to make power.  Advantage - Makes a large amount of energy from a small amount of uranium - Does not contribute to global warming; no greenhouse gases Disadvantage - Not renewable; high initial cost - Radioactivity due to nuclear power plant accidents - Difficulties in getting rid of nuclear waste Geothermal energy Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source derived from the Earth's internal heat. This heat originates from the planet's core and the natural decay of radioactive materials within the Earth. It is a reliable, sustainable, and low-emission energy source that has been harnessed for various applications, including electricity generation, direct heating, and industrial processes.  Advantage - Renewable - No greenhouse gases Disadvantage - High cost of installation & maintenance; difficult to install & maintain underground portion;limited choice of building sites (cold, unstable, deserted grounds) - Not much power Hydro-electric (hydraulic): Hydropower 101 Quebec generates almost all of its electricity in hydroelectric power plants. In contrast to fossil and nuclear energies, hydroelectric power depends on a renewable resource.  Advantage - Renewable - No greenhouse gases Disadvantage - Flooding from dams; destroys habitat and displaced people; needs fast-flowing water Tidal: Tidal Power 101 Movement created by rise and fall of the waves and the ocean currents, which turn the blades of underwater turbines.  Advantage - Frees up land space - Always water currents (reliable) Disadvantage - Difficult and expensive to install & maintain Wind Energy: Wind energy is a clean, renewable energy source that harnesses the power of moving air to generate electricity. It is one of the fastest-growing energy technologies globally and plays a significant role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.  Advantage - Renewable - Environmentally friendly - No greenhouse gases Disadvantage - Tower ruin landscape (aesthetics) - Wind is unpredictable - Energy cannot be stored Solar energy Solar energy is a renewable energy source that harnesses the power of the sun's radiation to produce electricity or heat. It is abundant, sustainable, and a key component in the global transition to clean energy. Solar energy can be captured through various technologies and used for multiple purposes, from powering homes to large-scale industrial applications. Passive Heating Systems Houses are positioned so that they make the most of the heat and light from the sun. Photovoltaic cells Solar cells are assembled into large panels on houses or satellites. Solar collectors Large glass panels capture the heat of the sun’s rays. Advantage - Renewable, Environmentally friendly, No greenhouse gases Disadvantage - Expensive to install and maintain (as a individual), Energy cannot be stored Earth-Moon System Tides and Gravity: Tides are caused by the Moon’s gravity pulling on Earth’s water. High tide: When water is directly under the Moon. Low tide: When water is pulled away from areas between high tides. Why it matters: Tides affect navigation, fishing, and marine life. How Tides and Waves Occur | Full Moon Effects Combustion What is Combustion? A chemical reaction where fuel reacts with oxygen to release heat and light. For combustion to take place there must be three components a fuel, an oxidizing agent (normal oxygen) and a Ignition temperature (the temperature the fuel burns at or hotter) Perceivable Signs of Combustion: 1. Flames  2. heat 3. Light 4. Smoke. Fire Triangle is shown below with the 3 key factors: - oxidizing agent - fuel - ignition temperature For combustion to occur, you need, If one element is removed, the fire stops. 1. Fuel: Something to burn (e.g., wood, gas). 2. Oxidizing agent: Air (oxygen), halogens and potassium nitrate. 3. Heat: Enough heat energy to start a fire Ignition Temperature It is a characteristic property that is always the same for a certain type of material but, in some cases, it may be more difficult to reach. For example, it is more difficult to reach the ignition temperature of wood when it is wet. RAPID COMBUSTION: log fire, burning candle, explosion SLOW COMBUSTION: metal corrosion (iron rusting) SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION: fuel reaches ignition temperature without outside source; forest fires Perceivable Signs of Combustion: Flames, heat, light, smoke. EST Nuclear Changes Nuclear Stability What is Nuclear Stability? Nuclear stability refers to the ability of an atomic nucleus to remain intact and not spontaneously undergo radioactive decay. Stability depends on: 1. The neutron-to-proton ratio. 2. The strong nuclear force that holds the nucleus together.  3. The presence of "magic numbers" of protons or neutrons, which increase stability. Key Factors Determining Stability: Neutron-to-Proton Ratio (n/p ratio): ○ Lighter elements: Stable at ~1:1 ratio (e.g., carbon-12). ○ Heavier elements: Require more neutrons for stability (e.g., uranium ~1.5:1 ratio). Strong Nuclear Force: ○ Acts only at very short distances, overcoming the repulsion between protons. Magic Numbers: ○ Nuclei with 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, or 126 protons/neutrons are exceptionally stable due to energy shell configurations. Unstable Nuclei: Have an imbalance of neutrons and protons. Undergo radioactive decay to reach stability. Radioactivity Definition of Radioactivity: The process by which unstable atomic nuclei release particles (alpha, beta, or neutrons) or energy (gamma rays) to achieve stability. Types of Radiation: Alpha Particles (α): ○ 2 protons + 2 neutrons. ○ Low penetration power; stopped by paper or skin. ○ Harmful if ingested/inhaled. Beta Particles (β): ○ High-energy electrons/positrons. ○ Moderate penetration; stopped by plastic or aluminum. Gamma Rays (γ):  ○ High-energy electromagnetic waves. ○ Very penetrating; require lead or concrete shielding. Technological Applications: 1. Medical Uses: ○ Radiotherapy: Treats cancer by targeting and destroying tumor cells with radiation. 2. Archaeology: ○ Carbon Dating: Determines the age of organic artifacts by measuring carbon-14 decay. 3. Industrial Uses: ○ Radiation Sterilization: Destroys bacteria in medical equipment or food. Fission and Fusion Nuclear Fission: A large nucleus (e.g., uranium-235) splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy. Used in: Nuclear power plants and atomic bombs. By-products: Produces radioactive waste. Nuclear Fusion: Small nuclei (e.g., hydrogen isotopes) combine to form a larger nucleus (e.g., helium), releasing immense energy.  Occurs in: The Sun and experimental fusion reactors. By-products: Minimal radioactive waste. Aspect Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion Energy Yield Lower than fusion Much higher Fuel Limited (uranium, etc.) Abundant (hydrogen) By-products Radioactive waste Minimal waste Applications Power plants, weapons Future clean energy Atmospheric Circulation Effect of Prevailing Winds on Air Pollutants Prevailing Winds: Large-scale wind patterns caused by the Earth’s rotation and uneven solar heating. Examples: ○ Trade Winds (east to west near equator). ○ Westerlies (west to east in mid-latitudes). ○ Polar Easterlies (east to west near poles). How Winds Disperse Pollutants: 1. Horizontal Transport: ○ Pollutants travel vast distances. ○ Example: Wildfire smoke in North America reaching Europe. 2. Vertical Mixing: ○ Strong upward winds dilute pollutants by dispersing them into the upper atmosphere. 3. Local Impacts: ○ Weak winds trap pollutants near the surface, causing smog. Case Study: Cities like Los Angeles, surrounded by mountains, experience temperature inversions, where warm air traps polluted cooler air, worsening air quality. Air Contaminants Air contaminants are substances that harm health, ecosystems, or climate. Types of Air Contaminants: 1. Particulate Matter (PM): ○ Tiny particles of dust, soot, or smoke. ○ Health effects: Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. 2. Carbon Monoxide (CO): ○ From incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. ○ Health effects: Reduces oxygen in blood, leading to fatigue or death in high amounts. 3. Sulfur Dioxide (SO ): ○ Released from burning coal or oil. ○ Environmental effects: Causes acid rain. 4. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): ○ From vehicle emissions. ○ Health effects: Contributes to smog and respiratory problems. 5. Methane (CH ): ○ From agriculture and waste. ○ Climate impact: A potent greenhouse gas. 6. Ozone (O ): ○ Found in smog near ground level. ○ Health effects: Irritates lungs and eyes.