Intro Flashcards

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1
Q

What is environmental science?

A

• 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.

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2
Q

What is a renewable natural resource?

A

Resources that are naturally replenished over short periods of time.

Ex. Sunlight, fresh water

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3
Q

What are non-renewable natural resources?

A

Resources that take a long time to replenish.

Ex. Topsoil, fossil fuels

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4
Q

How should natural resources be used?

A

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

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5
Q

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

A
  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.
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6
Q

What’d the agricultural and Industrial Revolution lead to?

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

Using resources in an unsustainable way.

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8
Q

What are constructive forces?

A

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

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9
Q

What are destructive forces?

A

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

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10
Q

What are some common tools used by earth scientists?

A

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

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11
Q

What are binoculars used for?

A

Enable people to view faraway objects more clearly.

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12
Q

What is a compass used for?

A

Instrument that shows magnetic North.

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13
Q

What is a wind vane used for?

A

Device that rotates to show the direction of the wind.

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14
Q

What is a anemometer used for?

A

Tool used to measure the speed and force of wind.

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15
Q

What is a streak plate used for?

A

Piece of hard, unglazed porcelain that helps identify minerals.

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16
Q

How do earth scientists collect data?

A

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

17
Q

What is an analytical study?

A

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

18
Q

What is a field study?

A

The observation and study of natural settings outside.

19
Q

What is a theoretical study?

A

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

20
Q

What is an experimental study?

A

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

21
Q

What is a modeling study?

A

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

22
Q

Why do earth scientists use different types of studies?

A

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.

23
Q

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

A
  1. Boundaries
  2. Inputs
  3. Outputs
  4. Feedback loop
24
Q

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

A

Helps to understand the complexity and interconnectedness of natural processes.

25
Q

What are boundaries?

A

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

26
Q

What are inputs?

A

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

27
Q

What are outputs?

A

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.

28
Q

What is a feedback loop?

A

Show how a system responds to change.

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

29
Q

What is the benefit of feedback loops?

A

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

30
Q

Why do earth scientists utilize these systems?

A

Develops comprehensive understanding of natural phenomena.

Assess potential impacts.

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

31
Q

What are the 5 spheres of earth?

A

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

32
Q

What is the lithosphere?

A

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

Ex. Rocks, minerals, soil

33
Q

What are the earths interior layers?

A
  1. Crust
  2. Mantle
  3. Outer core
  4. Inner core
34
Q

What is the hydrosphere?

A

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

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

35
Q

What is the biosphere?

A

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

Ex. Plants and animals

36
Q

What is the atmosphere?

A

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.

37
Q

What is the cryosphere?

A

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