Environmental Science 2021 Final Exam Study Guide All With Correct Answers Carbon dioxide Correct Answer: A colorless, odorless greenhouse gas prod uced naturally when dead animals or plants decay, and it is used by plants during photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide equivalent Correct Answer: A unit of measurement that can be used to compare the emissions of various greenhouse gases based on how long they stay in the atmosphere and how much heat they can trap. Carbon footprint Correct Answer: The total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere each year by a person, family, building, organization, or company. Carbonic acid Correct An swer: An acid that forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. Climate Correct Answer: The average weather conditions in a particular location or region at a particular time of the year. Usually measured over a period of 30 years or more. Climate models Correct Answer: A series of calculations run on a computer that simulates how the atmosphere, oceans, land, living things, ice, and energy from the sun affect each other and the Earth's climate. Coal Correct Answer: A dark -colored solid fos sil fuel that can be mined from the Earth. Coral bleaching Correct Answer: The process that takes place when corals lose the microscopic organisms called algae that live within their tissues. These algae provide the coral with nutrients, and they're respo nsible for the color of the coral. Emissions Correct Answer: The release of a gas (such as carbon dioxide) or other substance into the air. Fossil fuels Correct Answer: A type of fuel that forms deep within the Earth. Examples include coal, oil, and natu ral gas. Created over millions of years as dead plant and animal material becomes trapped and buried in layers of rock, and heat and pressure transform this material into fuel. Geothermal energy Correct Answer: Heat from inside the Earth. People can use t his energy to heat buildings or produce electricity. Global climate Correct Answer: The average climate around the world. Global warming Correct Answer: An increase in temperature near the surface of the Earth. Hydroelectric dam Correct Answer: A power plant that uses the energy from moving water to produce electricity. Moving water spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator. Methane Correct Answer: A colorless, odorless greenhouse gas. It occurs both naturally and as a result of people's activi ties. Produced by the decay of plants, animals, and waste, as well as other processes. It is also the main ingredient in natural gas. Natural gas Correct Answer: A fossil fuel that is an odorless, colorless gas. Consists of 50 to 90 percent methane. Nitrous oxide Correct Answer: A colorless, odorless greenhouse gas. It occurs both naturally and as a result of people's activities. Major sources include farming practices (such as using fertilizers) that add extra nitrogen to the soil, burning fossil fuels, and certain industrial processes. Nuclear fission energy Correct Answer: A process that occurs when an atom splits into two smaller atoms, which releases some of the energy that was binding the parts of the atom together. A nuclear power plant uses this r eaction to produce heat, which is then converted to electricity. Oil Correct Answer: A dark -colored liquid fossil fuel found underground. Can be refined to produce a variety of different products, such as gasoline, diesel, home heating fuel, asphalt, and chemicals that can be used to make paint, plastics, and many other everyday products. Permafrost Correct Answer: Soil or rock that is frozen year -round. Found in many parts of Alaska, northern Canada, and other countries near the Arctic Ocean. Photosynthesis Correct Answer: The process by which green plants use sunligh t, water, and carbon dioxide to make food and other substances that they use to grow. In the process, plants release oxygen into the air. Positive feedback loop Correct Answer: A process in which one change leads to another, which then causes even more of the original change. Regional climate Correct Answer: An average of the weather in a particular area over many years. Influences which kinds of plants and animals can live in a particular area. Smog Correct Answer: Air pollution caused by chemical react ions of various pollutants emitted from different sources. Ozone is one of the main ingredients, and it can harm people's health. Solar panel Correct Answer: A device that can convert energy from the sun into energy for people to use. Ultraviolet (UV) ra diation Correct Answer: A type of electromagnetic radiation that is produced by the sun. Not visible to the naked eye. Most is blocked by ozone high in the Earth's atmosphere, but some of it reaches the Earth's surface. Being exposed to too much can cause a sunburn, and over time it can lead to skin cancer and eye damage. Water vapor Correct Answer: Water that is present in the atmosphere as a gas. Watt Correct Answer: A measurement of power, usually used when talking about electricity. Measures the rate at which energy is used. Weather Correct Answer: The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. Can change from hour to hour, day to day, and season to season. Wind turbine Correct Answer: A machine that converts energy from the wind int o electricity. The wind spins a set of blades connected to a generator.
