Earth And Space Exam Review

Question 1

Ecozone-

Answer 1

An area that has developed over a long time and is separated by geological features like oceans, mountains, deserts

Question 2

Eco region-

Answer 2

Are smaller subdivisions of Eco zones that is characterized by local landforms such as plains, lakes and rivers

Question 3

Radiation-

Answer 3

Transfer of energy by means of electromagnetic waves, no particles required

Question 4

Convection-

Answer 4

Transfer of energy through the collision of particles IN A FLUID

Question 5

Conduction-

Answer 5

Transfer of energy through collision of particles

Question 6

Anthropogenic greenhouse effect-

Answer 6

The increased capacity of the atmosphere to absorb and prevent the escape of thermal energy because of an increase in greenhouse gases

Question 7

Climate change-

Answer 7

A significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years

Question 8

Global warming-

Answer 8

An increase in global average temperature, largest indicator of climate change

Question 9

Ecological footprint-

Answer 9

The impact an individual has on the environment through energy consumption, waste, and land use

Question 10

Albedo-

Answer 10

Determines whether solar thermal energy is absorbed or reflected

Question 11

Heat sink-

Answer 11

The ability to absorb energy and become warmer

Question 12

Heat capacity-

Answer 12

The amount of heat a substance required to increase its temperature by 1°C

Question 13

Weather vs climate

Answer 13

Weather – the current conditions of the atmosphere in a specific place at a specific time
Climate – the patterns of weather conditions within a region averaged over a long period of time

Question 14

Climate zones –

Answer 14

Regions with similar weather conditions, earth has three regions based on latitude

Question 15

Negative and positive feedback loop

Answer 15

Positive – acts to increase the effects that caused it
Negative – act to decrease the effects that caused it

Question 16

Greenhouse effect –

Answer 16

Process in which certain gases in the atmosphere absorb heat from the sun and heat radiated from the Earth surface

Question 17

Discovering past climates, tree rings, ice cores, fossils

Answer 17

Tree rings – provide records of climate changes, dating back to no more than a few hundred years, as trees grow. They add two new layers of wood under its bark each year.
Ice core – long cylinder of ice obtained by drilling into a glacier, each year a new layer of ice is deposited
Fossil – the remains or traces of a once living organism

Question 18

How climate change affects aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Answer 18

Aquatic – melting sea ice, new food chains, warmer oceans, rising sea levels, more violent storms
Terrestrial – changing organisms, melting land ice, more flooding, effects on human health

Question 19

Present climate and predicting future climate

Answer 19

Present:
Weather balloons- measure temperature, pressure and humidity at different altitudes
Radar– detect precipitation forming inside of clouds
Satellites – monitors changing conditions on land and in the air and oceans

Predicting future climate:
Global climate model – computer program that uses mathematical equations to help scientists understand and estimate changes in earths climate