Topic 1 - Global Systems

Question 1

Solar energy

Answer 1

Light and heat from the sun that is harnessed. by us

Question 2

Earth’s energy budget

Answer 2

Shows how energy flows into and away from earth

Question 3

Visible light

Answer 3

All visible colours in the rainbow

Question 4

Infrared Light

Answer 4

Wavelengths that are longer than red light

Question 5

Ultraviolet Radiation

Answer 5

Wavelengths that are shorter than violet light

Question 6

Albedo Effect

Answer 6

Ability of a surface to reflect sunlight

Question 7

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 7

Gases in the atmosphere create like a blanket around the earth to trap heat

Question 8

The Water Cycle

Answer 8

The cycling of water through the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

Question 9

Transpiration

Answer 9

When water is absorbed by the plants from the soil through roots

Question 10

Condensation

Answer 10

When water vapour (gas) is cooled in the atmosphere

Question 11

Precipitation

Answer 11

When the water droplets formed during condensation fall to earth

Question 12

Surface Run Off

Answer 12

When the water moves over the surface of land

Question 13

Infiltration

Answer 13

When precipitation that falls onto the land soaks into the soul

Question 14

Ground Water Flow

Answer 14

Water which infiltrates into the soil

Question 15

Aquifer

Answer 15

Underground body of water

Question 16

Evaporation

Answer 16

When the sun heats bodies of water to turn into water vapor (gas)

Question 17

Freezing

Answer 17

Converts water in a liquid state into a solid state

Question 18

Melting

Answer 18

Converts ice and snow back into water, the liquid state

Question 19

Sublimation

Answer 19

Changes a solid (ice) straight into a gas (water vapor)

Question 20

Deposition

Answer 20

Changes a gas (water vapor) directly into a solid (ice)

Question 21

Percolation

Answer 21

The movement of water through soil and rock

Question 22

Carbon cycle

Answer 22

The cycle of carbon through our atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.

Question 23

Volcanic Eruptions

Answer 23

Releases a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 24

Carbon Sequestration

Answer 24

Process of storing carbon

Question 25

Cellular Respiration

Answer 25

Animals eat plants taking in oxygen to power cellular respiration, and then release it as carbon dioxide.

Question 26

Photosynthesis

Answer 26

Plants absorb solar energy, carbon dioxide, and water and convert them into oxygen, and glucose.

Question 27

Decomposition

Answer 27

When organisms die and their organic matter becomes available for decomposers to breakdown.

Question 28

Fossiliation

Answer 28

Involves the burial and transformation of organic matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas

Question 29

Unavailable Carbon

Question 30

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

Answer 30

When burned, fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are burned for energy production, transpiration, industrial processes, and heating.

Question 31

Limestone Weathering

Answer 31

Calcium carbonate reacts with weak acids found in rainwater and soil, releasing carbon dioxide.

Question 32

Deforestation and Fires

Answer 32

When trees and vegetation are cut down, burned, or left to decay, as they are carbon sinks the carbon stored is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide

Question 33

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 33

The nitrogen cycle transforms and circulates nitrogen in various forms through Earth’s spheres.

Question 34

Atmospheric Nitrogen Fixation

Answer 34

Lightning strikes into the atmosphere, creating enough energy in the atmosphere and splits nitrogen gas into nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Question 35

Nitric Acid

Answer 35

Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide disolve into water to form this, creating rain

Question 36

Assimilation

Answer 36

Plants and microorganisms take up ammonium and nitrate ions from the soil

Question 37

Consumption

Answer 37

Animals take in nitrogen by consuming plants, or other animals that have nitrogen

Question 38

Ammonification

Answer 38

Decomposers break down the big nitrogen compounds in dead organisms or organic matter into ammonia or ammonium ions

Question 39

Volcanic Eruptions

Answer 39

Releases large amounts of nitrogen gas into the atmosphere in the smoke

Question 40

Denitrification

Answer 40

Converts nitrate and nitrite ions into nitrogen gas. Returned to the atmosphere where it can be accessed by nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Question 41

Nitrogen Fixation by Bacteria

Answer 41

When nitrogen gas released back into the atmosphere is taken in by nitrogen fixing bacteria found in the soil.

Question 42

Nitrification