Chapter 2- Environmental Systems Flashcards
What happened to the Mono Lake Ecosystem?
Mono lake a terminal lake which means that water does not flow out of it. Salt and other minerals are deposited and left in the lake. During early 1900s Los Angeles drew water away from the lake, which killed the lakes algae because of its increased salinity. This led to a whole chain of events that hurt the ecosystem at the lake. However, Los angeles eventually put water back into the lake which allowed the ecosystems to thrive again.
Because systems tend be connected with or a part of larger systems….
Change in any one factor can have other, often, unexpected effects.
Define matter.
Anything that occupies space and has mass.
Define mass.
The amount of matter an object contains.
Define atom.
The smallest particle that can contain chemical properties of an element.
Define element.
A substance composed of atoms that cannot be broken down into smaller, simpler components.
What does the periodic table display?
It lists all of the elements currently known.
Define molecules.
Particles containing more than one atom.
Define compounds.
Molecules that contain more than one element.
Define nucleus.
The core of every atom; contains protons and neutron.
Define atomic number.
The number of protons in the nucleus of a particular element.
Electrons exist in ___ which are____
Orbitals.
Electron clouds that extend different distances from the nucleus.
Define mass number.
The total number of protons and neutrons in an element.
Define isotopes.
Atoms of the same element that ah s different numbers of neutrons.
Define radioactive decay.
The spontaneous release d material from the nucleus.
Original atom is called the parent and resulting decay is called the daughter.
Define half life.
The time it takes for one half of the original radioactive parent atoms to decay.
What is carbon dating?
A technique in which researchers can determine how many years ago an organism died.
Define covalent bonds.
Holds together elements that share electrons.
Define ionic bonds.
The attraction between oppositely charged ions, in which electrons are transferred or donated.
Define ions.
Charged atoms.
Define hydrogen bonds.
A chemical bond that forms when hydrogen atoms that are covalently bonded to one atom are attracted to another atom or another molecule.
What is a polar molecule?
In an atom, one side is more positive and one side is more negative.
What is cohesion?
Molecules that stick strongly to one another.