Intro

Question 1

What is environmental science?

Answer 1

• it’s NOT environmental activism

• it’s Ecology: the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment around them. How humans affect the environment and address issues (Economics and political issues from using natural resources)

A interdisciplinary study.

Question 2

What is a renewable natural resource?

Answer 2

Resources that are naturally replenished over short periods of time.

Ex. Sunlight, fresh water

Question 3

What are non-renewable natural resources?

Answer 3

Resources that take a long time to replenish.

Ex. Topsoil, fossil fuels

Question 4

How should natural resources be used?

Answer 4

At a sustainable rate - one that replaces what’s used at the same rate. Environmental scientists help us with this.

Question 5

What are the 2 major events that changed the course of human history and how we interact with natural resources?

Answer 5

1. The agricultural revolution: from hunter-gatherer to communities raising livestock and planting crops.
2. The Industrial Revolution: production of machinery allowed for advances in medicine, agriculture, and other technologies.

Question 6

What’d the agricultural and Industrial Revolution lead to?

Answer 6

Increases in human life spans, health, and the human population overall.

Question 7

What is the challenge that arose from increases in the human population?

Answer 7

Using resources in an unsustainable way.

Question 8

What are constructive forces?

Answer 8

Forces that build up an existing landform or create a new one.

Question 9

What are destructive forces?

Answer 9

Forces that lower or tear down the surface features of earth.

Question 10

What are some common tools used by earth scientists?

Answer 10

Binoculars, compass, wind vane, anemometer, streak plate.

Question 11

What are binoculars used for?

Answer 11

Enable people to view faraway objects more clearly.

Question 12

What is a compass used for?

Answer 12

Instrument that shows magnetic North.

Question 13

What is a wind vane used for?

Answer 13

Device that rotates to show the direction of the wind.

Question 14

What is a anemometer used for?

Answer 14

Tool used to measure the speed and force of wind.

Question 15

What is a streak plate used for?

Answer 15

Piece of hard, unglazed porcelain that helps identify minerals.

Question 16

How do earth scientists collect data?

Answer 16

Analytical study, field study, theoretical study, experimental study, modeling study

Question 17

What is an analytical study?

Answer 17

Examining large amounts of data to reveal hidden patterns, unknown correlations, and other useful information.

Question 18

What is a field study?

Answer 18

The observation and study of natural settings outside.

Question 19

What is a theoretical study?

Answer 19

The examination of a set of beliefs and assumptions. Can use models.

Question 20

What is an experimental study?

Answer 20

To support or refute a hypothesis or determine the probability of something untried.

Question 21

What is a modeling study?

Answer 21

The generation of a physical, conceptual, or mathematical representation of a real phenomenon that is difficult to observe directly.

Question 22

Why do earth scientists use different types of studies?

Answer 22

To gain a comprehensive understanding of geological processes, climate patterns and changes. These methods provide unique insights and contribute to a holistic understanding of earth.

Question 23

When investigating scientific issues, earth scienctists utilize the following systems:

Answer 23

1. Boundaries
2. Inputs
3. Outputs
4. Feedback loop

Question 24

What do boundaries, inputs, outputs, and feedback loops allow?

Answer 24

Helps to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of natural processes.

Question 25

What are boundaries?

Answer 25

Outlined limits or borders that define the extent and scope of a specific geological or environmental system under study.

Question 26

What are inputs?

Answer 26

External factors or materials that enter a system and influence its behaviour, processes, or composition.

Question 27

What are outputs?

Answer 27

The results, products, or effects that are produced or released by a geological or environmental system and impact it’s surroundings or other components of the earth system.

The results of inputs.

Question 28

What is a feedback loop?

Answer 28

Show how a system responds to change.

(+) amplifies changes, while (-) mitigated them, maintaining stability.

Question 29

What is the benefit of feedback loops?

Answer 29

Helps predict how a system might react to disturbances or human interventions.

Question 30

Why do earth scientists utilize these systems?

Answer 30

Develops comprehensive understanding of natural phenomena.

Assess potential impacts.

Helps make informed decisions about managing earths resources and addressing environmental changes.

Question 31

What are the 5 spheres of earth?

Answer 31

• atmosphere
• lithosphere/geosphere
• biosphere
• hydrospeheee
• cryosphere

Question 32

What is the lithosphere?

Answer 32

The solid shell of earth. That means the crust, plus the part of the upper mantle.

Ex. Rocks, minerals, soil

Question 33

What are the earths interior layers?

Answer 33

1. Crust
2. Mantle
3. Outer core
4. Inner core

Question 34

What is the hydrosphere?

Answer 34

Hydro means “water”. 97% of water on earth is found in the oceans.

Ex. Oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, water vapour in the air

Question 35

What is the biosphere?

Answer 35

Made up of all the living things on Earth. The living portion of the Earth.

Ex. Plants and animals

Question 36

What is the atmosphere?

Answer 36

Gassed that surrounds our plant. It keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breath, and it is where our weather happens.

Ex. Nitrogen and oxygen.

Question 37

What is the cryosphere?

Answer 37

The frozen portion of the hydrosphere. Some scientists consider it to be a separate sphere.