Chapter 8 Flashcards
What causes air pollutants?
Smog, acid precipitation, and CFC’s
What can water be contaminated with?
Sediment, industrial pollutants, and human waste
What does all life on Earth require?
Clean air and water
What are land sources threatened by?
Agriculture, deforestation, industry, and waste
Acid Precipitation
When acidic Moisture falls from the sky as precipitation
Photochemical Smog
Pollution that results from the reaction between sunlight and exhaust fumes
Hazardous Waste
Wastes that are poisonous, cause cancer, or catch on fire
Pollutant
Any substance that contaminates the environment
Carrying Capacity
The greatest number of individuals (specific species) the environment can support
Population
All individuals of one species living in a particular area
Examples of alternative energy resources:
Sun, water, wind, Earth’s internal heat
How is wind energy converted to electrical energy?
A propeller attached to an electric generator
Hydroelectric Power Plants
Turns Gravitational potential energy into electrical energy
Examples of Biomass
Wood, soy, corn, sugarcane fibers, rice hulls, animal poop
Biomass
Renewable organic matter
Geothermal Energy
Thermal energy contained in and around magma
Hydroelectricity
An electric current made by the energy of moving water
Photovoltaic Cell
Converts radiant energy directly into electrical energy
Renewable Resource
An energy source that is replaced faster than it is used
What % of nuclear power is made by power plants in the US?
8%
Fission Reaction
Energy in fission makes steam, steam makes power for a generator
Nuclear Waste
Any radioactive material that results when radioactive material is used
Nuclear Reactor
Uses energy from controlled nuclear reactions to generate electricity
Fission
Process of splitting an atomic nucleus into two or more nuclei
Fusion
Occurs when atomic nuclei combine at very high temperatures
Power Plant
Burns fossil fuels to get chemical potential energy that powers stuff
(+ or o) Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources
+
Examples of Fossil Fuels
Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Coal
Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed but can be transformed
Non-renewable Resources
Resources that cannot be replaced by natural processes as quickly as they are used
Fossil Fuels
Remains of plants and animals crushed and buried for many years
Petroleum
A flammable liquid formed from the decay of organisms
