All y’all better pass! Flashcards
Lithosphere
What is the lithosphere?
Crust and the top most part of the upper mantle
Lithosphere
What is permafrost?
Frozen soil found in polar regions.During the summer the top layer thaws, plants grow during a short period of time.
Lithosphere
What are some consequences of melting permafrost?
- Land slides
- Impacting structure of houses
- Intensifying greenhouse gas effect( when permafrost melts the organic matter in it decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide and methane)
Lithosphere
Energy ressources
How are fossil fuels created?
- Oil and natural gas come from marine animals and algae. When they died they sink to the bottom and are covered with sediment. Pressure turned them into oil.
- Coal is formed the same way but in swamps
Lithosphere
Energy ressources
Consequences of fossil fuels.
- Non renewable
2. Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide and methane (main causes of climate change)
Lithosphere
Energy ressources
What is uranium?
A radio active element that produces a large amount of energy.
Lithosphere
Energy ressources
Consequences of uranium?
- Non renewable
- Produces a large amount of energy, if a radioactive explosion happens material and equipment stay radioactive for 100 of years.
Lithosphere
What is combustion and what are the elements needed for combustion to happen?
Combustion is a release of a large amount of energy resulting in a something burning ( fire ). The elements needed for combustion are:
- a fuel
- oxygen
- heat
Lithosphere
Name and explain the 3 types of combustion.
- Rapid: in a short period of time releases a lot of energy( camp fire)
- Spontaneous: fuel reaches ignition temperature without an outside source (forest fire)
- Slow: occurs over a long period of time (rust)
What Is the carbon cycle?
Describes all exchanges of carbon on earth
Hydrosphere
What are two other words for catchment area?
- Drainage basin
2. Watershed
Hydrosphere
What is a catchment area?
An area of land whose lakes and rivers all flow to the same larger body of water.
Hydrosphere
Catchment area
What causes the water to flow the same direction?
The natural slope of the land causes water to flow in the same direction
Hydrosphere
What natural phenomenas (5 things) can affect how water flows inside a catchment area?
- Topography: shape,slope
- Geology: type,depth, structure of rock
- Climate: amount of rain or snowfall, winds and temperature
- Vegetation: density and diversity
- Human interference: agricultural,industrial and urban development
Hydrosphere
What is salinity?
The amount of salt dissolved in a liquid
Hydrosphere
How does the ocean water become salty?
From the seawater constantly smashing the rocks into each other, chipping them away and adding mineral salts to the water
Hydrosphere
Why does salt water have a greater density than freshwater?
Salt water contains more sodium chloride atoms that add to its mass
Hydrosphere
Near the poles, how do glaciers affect the salinity of the water?
Melting glaciers dilute the seawater and reduce its concentration of salt.
Hydrosphere
Why does the water near the equator have a higher salinity?
The heat makes water evaporate faster, leaving the salt behind, thus raising the concentration of salt.
Hydrosphere
How does the ocean circulate?
The ocean is in constant circulation due to waves,tides and currents
Hydrosphere
The ocean has 2 types of currents. What are they called and explain how they form?
- Surface currents: winds and tides
2. Subsurface currents: caused by changes in density. Denser the water= more it sinks
Hydrosphere
What is the huge conveyor belt that regulates the ocean currents called?
Thermohaline circulation
Hydrosphere
What is the thermohaline circulation responsible for?
Major transfers of heat around the world. Regulates climate on earth.
Hydrosphere
What is hydraulic energy?
The force of moving water generating electricity.
Hydrosphere
Why are the advantages to hydraulic energy?
- renewable
- Emits very little greenhouses gases
- Disadvantage:CAN RELEASE MERCURY CONTAMINATING FISH
Hydrosphere
What is pack ice?
Floating ice in the ocean near the north and south poles