Hydrosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the hydrosphere?

A

A hydrosphere is the total amount of water on a planet. The hydrosphere includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground

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2
Q

what is a watershed?

A

A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common body of water.

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3
Q

Which aspects slow down or accelerate the flow inside of catchment areas?

A

Topography: The shape, slope, terrain of the area.
 Geology: Type, depth, and structure of the rock.
 Climate: Amount of rain or snowfall, winds and temperature.
 Vegetation: Density and diversity.
 Human interference: Agricultural, industrial, and urban development.

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4
Q

What are 4 important factors when studying oceans?

A

Depth, seasons, Latitude and salinity.

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5
Q

what is salinity?

A

amount of salt in the ocean.

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6
Q

what is the average salinity?

A

between 3.4% and 3.7%

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7
Q

What are deep water currents caused by?

A

They are caused by changes in the density of various layers of water. The denser
the water, the deeper it sinks. Water density is varies with temperatures; the colder the
water, the denser it is so cold water sinks. Salinity also affects the density; the higher
the salinity, the denser the water is and the more it tends to sink.

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8
Q

What is ocean circulation?

A

Ocean circulation is
the combined effect of surface currents and subsurface currents.

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9
Q

what is the cryosphere?

A

The cryosphere is made up of all the solid water on the Earth’s surface. Park ice
is made up of the ice floating on the oceans near the North and South poles.

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10
Q

What is the difference between pack ice and glaciers?

A

Glaciers do not float on water, they are attached to land and are formed by compressed snow. When glaciers fall in the water the water level rises.

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11
Q

What is the effect of pack ice melting?

A

It affects thermohaline circulation and doesn<t cause a rise in sea level.

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12
Q

(est) What does warm water in rivers do?

A

Certain factories discharge chemicals and warm water into rivers.
Warm waters reduce the concentration of oxygen in the water which in turn can affect aquatic
species.

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13
Q

(est)What do pesticides and fertilizers do when they make their way into rivers and lakes?

A

It promotes algae growth and leads to the
eutrophication of lakes, a phenomenon of reduced oxygen concentration in the water because
bacteria are consuming too much of it.

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14
Q

(est)What are hydrocarbons?

A

an organic compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon found in crude oil, natural gas, and coal.

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15
Q

What are the effets of mining?

A

Machines releasing Co2
destruction of habitat
release of heavy metals

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16
Q

What does soil need to be fertile?

A

To be fertile, the soil must contain enough nutrients, have
adequate moisture, and have an appropriate pH.

17
Q

What is a horizon?

A

When soil develops, it thickens and forms
layers called horizons. Horizons can be distinguished by colour, texture, and composition.

18
Q

What is permafrost

A

large parts of the soil are permanently frozen.

19
Q

what is the top layer of permafrost called and why?

A

This top layer is called the active layer. Since it can grow small plants.

20
Q

What are the negative effects of melting permafrost?

A

landslides, more decomposition, and unstable house foundations.

21
Q

(est) What is the buffering capacity

A

Soil has the capacity to neutralize acid a certain amount of acidic
or alkaline substances without affecting its pH. This buffering capacity allows soil to
compensate for variations in pH.

22
Q

what pollutants are responsible for acid rain?

A

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide

23
Q

What 3 conditions must be met for combustion to happen?

A
  1. An oxydant is needed to cause a fuel to react.
  2. A fuel is a substance that releases a lot of energy
    when combined with an oxidant.
  3. The ignition temperature is the minimum temperature
    at which combustion will start and it varies from one
    fuel to another.
24
Q

What are the 3 types of combustion

A
  1. Rapid combustion happens within a short period of time and release a lot of energy,
    mostly in the form of heat and light.
    Ex:
  2. Spontaneous combustion is rapid combustion in which the fuel reaches its ignition
    temperature without an outside source.
    Ex:
  3. Slow combustion
25
Q

How does a slow combustion occurs

A

Slow combustion occurs over very long periods of time and energy is released gradually.

26
Q

Is nuclear energy renewable?

A

No

27
Q

How do nuclear power plants work?

A
  1. Recycled water is pumped into the reactor vessel.
  2. Nuclear fission converts nuclear energy (energy inside the nucleus of a uranium atom)
    into thermal energy.
  3. Hot water flows to the steam generators which heats it further and changes it into
    steam.
  4. Fast moving steam flows through pipes to transfer its mechanical energy to the turbine,
    making its blades spin.
  5. Mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy by the generator
    (electromagnetic induction).
  6. Hot steam flows though pipes to the condenser which cools the steam and changes it
    back to water to be recycled.
28
Q

(est) What atoms are unstable?

A

All atoms with an atomic number greater
than 83 are therefore considered unstable

29
Q

Name the 3 types of radiation.

A

Alpha particles are positive, large and heavy. They can be stopped by a sheet of
paper.
 Beta particles are negative particles, are lighter than alpha particles and have
penetrating power. They can be stopped by a sheet of oil at least 3 mm thick.
 Gamma rays are neutral. They are energy, not matter. They have the greatest
penetrating power and can only be stopped by lead or concrete.

30
Q

Which type of radiation is harmful to humans?

A

Gamma rays

31
Q

What are some uses of radioactivity?

A

Ionizing radiation can tear electrons away from the atoms they encounter. Irradiating
food can increase the shelf life of fresh produce.
 Radiotherapy is used to kill cancer cells.
 Calculating half lives (time taken to decay) can be used to date fossils.

32
Q

What is nuclear fission?

A

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction where the nucleus of a large atom is split.

33
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.

34
Q

What is geothermal energy?

A

Geothermal energy is the energy that comes from the internal heat of the Earth. It is used in
parts of the world where magma is closer to the surface.

35
Q

What causes soil depletion?

A

The use of heavy machinery in agriculture.

36
Q

What is soil depletion?

A

the
soil compresses so much that it becomes too compacted and then has insufficient room for oxygen.
This also prevents rain for seeping into the soil. Instead, the water will run off the
surface into lakes and rivers, carrying with it nutrients and microorganisms important
for plant growth. Therefore, the soil becomes less fertile.