Chapter 3 - Energy Flows & Ecosystems Flashcards
What are the four spheres considered in the Ecosphere?
- Lithosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Atmosphere
- Biosphere
What is the Capelin Food Chain?
Changing the energy available at one part of the food chain causes changes throughout the ecosystem.
Define Energy:
The capacity to do work and is measured in
Calories (nutrition).
What is a calorie equal to in joules?
4.2 joules
Energy derived from an object’s motion and mass is known as ______________.
kinetic energy
What kind of energy is stored and is available for later use?
Potential Energy
What kind of energy is most available for use?
Low-quality energy
The total energy of all moving atoms is referred to as _______
heat
_____ is a low quality energy.
heat
Define Temperature:
A measure of average speed of molecules or atoms in a substance
What is High-quality energy?
It is easy to use and is easily produced.
What do the law of physics describe?
The way in which energy transformations take place all over the world.
What is the first law of physics? Define it:
Law of Conservation of Energy: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it merely changes forms.
What is the second law of thermodynamics? Define it:
Law of Entropy: When energy is transformed into another form, there is always a decrease in the quality of usable energy.
Why is the second law of thermodynamics important to organisms?
Because they must continuously expend energy to maintain themselves, whenever energy is used, some is lost.
