Chapter 8 - Environment Flashcards
What is the atmosphere? /3
Layer of air surrounding the earth
Extends more than 10 000 km above the surface of the earth
Made up of gasses that are essential to life
What are the functions of the atmosphere? /4
Acts as a barrier
Retains heat
Contains oxygen (DUH)
contains carbon dioxide
How does the atmosphere act as a barrier?
Blocks out dangerous UV Rays from the sun
How does the atmosphere retain heat?
Creates a stable climate that sustains life
What is the greenhouse effect? How does it function? /2
A natural process that allows the Earth to retain so,elf the heat given from the sun.
Function: it allows heat to be trapped in order to let plants grow
What are the Four greenhouse gases? /4
Water Vapour (H2O)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
What are greenhouse gases? /4
Have ALWAYS existed in the Earth’s atmosphere
Act like a the roof of a greenhouse for the planet
Ensures the Earth can have an average surface temperature that supports life
If it did not exist, the Earth’s average temperature would be -18C
How does the greenhouse effect work? /4
1) solar radiation released from the sun is mostly absorbed by the ground
2) The now heated ground emits infrared rays into the atmosphere.
2. 5) Some pass through the atmosphere are released back into space
3) The infrared rays hit the greenhouse gases and are sent back to the Earth, causing the planet’s surface to heat up.
How has greenhouse gases evolved? /2
Carbon dioxide was released from cellular respiration, volcanic emissions and forest fires, then reabsorbed by photosynthesis and oceans
Causes a stable balance and stable temperature to sustain life.
What is causing the intensification of the greenhouse effect as we know today? /3
Humans depend on the combustion of fossil fuels (manufacturing, manure, transportation, etc)
Reduction of photosynthesis (land clearing for farming)
Forest fires
What are the consequences of the intensification of the greenhouse effect? /3
More carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere it:
traps more heat, which causes…
the Earth to warm up, leading to…
changes in precipitation and other climate changes
What is climate change?
The abnormal modification of climate conditions on the Earth cause by human activity
What is the most released greenhouse gas?
Carbon dioxide
What is methane? /6
CH4
Released by: Farm animals Manure storages Rice farming Decomposing household waste
Although released less than CO2, it has an effect 21x STRONGER
What is Nitrous Oxide? /3
N2O
Released by:
Nitrogen ice fertilizers (enhance plant growth)
Released less than CO2
What is wind energy? /2
The energy obtained from the wind.
Is harvested through the use of wind turbines to supply energy
What are wind turbines?
Large machines with gigantic blades
How do wind turbines function? /4
1) the wind hits the blades which turns the rotor
2) the rotor spins the main shaft
3) the shaft causes the electric generator in the nacelle to activate
4) energy is supplied/conducted
What are the advantages of wind energy?
Renewable resource
Not greenhouse gas emissions
What are the disadvantages of wind energy? /5
Many wind turbines in a small area is required
Aesthetically unpleasant (ugly to look at)
Unpredictable wind speed
Wind energy cannot be stored (debatable)
Usually combined with hydroelectric dams
