Study Guide for Science

Question 1

Human activities (ex: burning of fossil fuels)

Answer 1

have added greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,
which is associated with
global warming.

Question 2

Carbon dioxide

Answer 2

is a greenhouse gas that is released from our automobiles. Greenhouse gases trap heat and add to the observed trend of rising global temperatures (global warming).

Question 3

Smog and ground-level ozone

Answer 3

are two types of pollutants that come from vehicle exhaust. Also, when pollution in our atmosphere mixes with rain, it creates acid precipitation which is harmful to soils and natural bodies of water.

Question 4

Human activity that is most responsible for damaging the ozone layer

Answer 4

• use of Freon (colorless gas that’s responsible for creating the cool air put out by an air
  conditioner unit)
• use of CFC (nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and
  fluorine. They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays) spray propellant.

Question 5

The Air Quality Index (AQI)

Answer 5

is describes the air quality of a location using numeric values. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a way to measure air quality.

Question 6

Indoor air pollution

Answer 6

can be even more harmful than outdoor pollution, since many buildings are insulated to prevent fresh air from entering.

Question 7

Concentration of industrial factories

Answer 7

can cause increased air pollution.

Question 8

Harmful chemicals

Answer 8

can include chlorine and ammonia from household cleaners, formaldehyde from furniture, and radon gas that can seep up from underground through cracks in the foundation.

Question 9

Pesticides

Answer 9

• chemicals used to protect crops & kill bugs.

- harmful because insects can become resistant to it.

Question 10

Daily exposure to these pollutants can cause

Answer 10

coughing, headaches, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, allergies, emphysema, bronchitis and even lung cancer.

Question 11

Primary pollutants

Answer 11

vehicle exhaust or anything that is put directly into the atmosphere.

Question 12

Secondary pollutants

Answer 12

pollution made by reacting with something else in the atmosphere, for example smog.

Question 13

Sources of air pollution

Answer 13

• small particles of smoke & dust in smog
• nitrogen oxides from automotive exhaust
• chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Question 14

Conservation

Answer 14

the wise use of natural resources, or not being wasteful, like turning off lights, reusing bags, and recycling.

Question 15

Stewardship

Answer 15

the responsible management of a resource, such as planting trees, cleaning up the beach, or helping sea turtles find their way to the sea.

Question 16

Conservation and stewardship

Answer 16

helps ensure that our natural resources will not be polluted or used up too quickly.

Question 17

Water can be conserved by

Answer 17

using low-flow toilets and showerheads. Farms can use more efficient irrigation systems.

Question 18

Land can be conserved

Answer 18

in urban areas with vertical development (the construction of high rise
residential and commercial buildings).

Question 19

Soil quality is maintained by

Answer 19

crop rotation, which involves planting crops with different nutrient needs on the same area of land, but in alternating seasons. This allows the soil to recover, reduces plant diseases, and keeps the soil in use at all times.

Question 20

Air quality can be preserved with

Answer 20

the practice of mixed-use communities because the houses are very
close to businesses, which allows people to walk to work instead of driving.

Question 21

Scientists are trying to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by

Answer 21

developing cleaner sources of
energy, such as wind turbines, solar panels, geothermal energy, and by improving existing
technologies, like hybrid cars.