science Flashcards
Carbon
a naturally occuring nonmetal on Earth
Carbon Cycle
The global movement of carbon compounds through the Earth’s oceans, crust, atmosphere, and living organism
Carbon Sink
a forest, ocean, or other natural environment viewed in terms of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Carbon Source
Releases more carbon into the atmosphere than it takes in
carbon sequestration
A method of storing carbon emissions to prevent their release into the atmosphere
Photosynthesis
The chemical reaction that takes solar energy, water, and carbon dioxide and turns it into sugars and oxygen.
Fossil Fuels
Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.
Coal
A fossil fuel that forms underground from partially decomposed plant material
petroleum oil
A liquid fossil fuel that originally came from ancient sea life
natural gas
A fossil fuel in the gaseous state that came from ancient sea life.
Combustion
A rapid reaction between oxygen and fuel that results in fire
Greenhouse Gases
Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone in the atmosphere that absorb heat that is leaving the Earth.
H2O
Water Vapor
CO2
carbon dioxide
N2O
nitrous oxide
CH4
methane
Ozone
a gas molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms that protects the Earth from UV radiation.
The Greenhouse Effect
Natural phenomenon in which heat is retained in Earth’s atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases
Solar Radiation
radiant energy emitted by the sun in the form of UV and visible light.
infrared radiation
Electromagnetic energy that transfer heat.
Emissions
the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation
Deforestation
the action of clearing a wide area of trees.
Transportation
The process by which passengers or goods are moved or delivered from one place to another.
Industry/Manfacturing
the mass production of goods and services that drives an economy.
