Chapter 8 - Environment

Question 1

What is the atmosphere? /3

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What are the functions of the atmosphere? /4

Answer 2

Acts as a barrier

Retains heat

Contains oxygen (DUH)

contains carbon dioxide

Question 3

How does the atmosphere act as a barrier?

Answer 3

Blocks out dangerous UV Rays from the sun

Question 4

How does the atmosphere retain heat?

Answer 4

Creates a stable climate that sustains life

Question 5

What is the greenhouse effect? How does it function? /2

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What are the Four greenhouse gases? /4

Answer 6

Water Vapour (H2O)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Question 7

What are greenhouse gases? /4

Answer 7

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

Question 8

How does the greenhouse effect work? /4

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

How has greenhouse gases evolved? /2

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is causing the intensification of the greenhouse effect as we know today? /3

Answer 10

Humans depend on the combustion of fossil fuels (manufacturing, manure, transportation, etc)

Reduction of photosynthesis (land clearing for farming)

Forest fires

Question 11

What are the consequences of the intensification of the greenhouse effect? /3

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is climate change?

Answer 12

The abnormal modification of climate conditions on the Earth cause by human activity

Question 13

What is the most released greenhouse gas?

Answer 13

Carbon dioxide

Question 14

What is methane? /6

Answer 14

CH4

Released by:
Farm animals
Manure storages
Rice farming
Decomposing household waste

Although released less than CO2, it has an effect 21x STRONGER

Question 15

What is Nitrous Oxide? /3

Answer 15

N2O

Released by:
Nitrogen ice fertilizers (enhance plant growth)

Released less than CO2

Question 16

What is wind energy? /2

Answer 16

The energy obtained from the wind.

Is harvested through the use of wind turbines to supply energy

Question 17

What are wind turbines?

Answer 17

Large machines with gigantic blades

Question 18

How do wind turbines function? /4

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What are the advantages of wind energy?

Answer 19

Renewable resource

Not greenhouse gas emissions

Question 20

What are the disadvantages of wind energy? /5

Answer 20

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