Super Amazing Earth Science Final Exam
Review!
Big Bang Theory
Occurred about 13.7 billion years ago
Nebular Hypothesis
The Sun, Earth and solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a cloud of dust in space
Scale of the Universe
Galaxies in the universe
Scale of the Universe
Our galaxy: the Milky WaySpiral-shapedA collection of millions of starsOur Sun is one of them!
Scale of the Universe
Our Solar system
The Moon orbits Earth in about a month(Not to scale)
Shape of orbits
Precession: tilt angle doesn’t change, only the direction of the axis does
Reason for the Seasons
Nutation: increases or decreases tilt by .5 degrees
An increase In tilt can lead to stronger seasons.A decrease in tilt can lead to less seasonal Effects.
Barycenter: the point at which two objects orbit each other
Planets going around a star cause the star to “wobble.”
Tidal effects
Caused by the pull of Earth’s moon, and also the Sun.
Earth’s Circumference
Earth is wider around the Equator as a result of its rotation.
Nuclear FUSION: How the Sun makes power!
Hydrogen atoms smash together to make helium atoms and ENERGY.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
All these types of radiation come from the Sun.
The ozone layer filters most harmful UV Radiation
Earth’s protective magnetic field
Earth’s magnetic field shields us from most harmful cosmic rays, gamma rays and X-rays released by the Sun.
Layers of the Atmosphere
Atmospheric Composition
Winds and Air Pressure
Air Density
Relative Humidity and Temperature(Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air)
Cold Fronts
Produce heavy rain and thunderstorms when a warm air mass touches a cool air mass
Warm Fronts
Produce lighter precipitation over a larger area
Dew Point
Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor begins to condense from moist air that is cooling.
Temps. Decrease with Altitude
Clouds form up high because temperatures drop, causing tiny water droplets to condense.
Land and Water Heat and Cool Differently
Convection: the movement of heat through air or water
The atmosphere and oceans move air (wind) and water (ocean currents) in an unending effort to balance heat across the planet.
Coastal and Inland Temperatures
Coastal cities have less extreme summer and winter temperatures than inland cities.
Infiltration and Aquifers
Infiltration occurs when surface water seeps down to become groundwater.
Weather vs. Climate
Weather is the current state of the atmosphere at a certain time and place. Climate is average temperature and rainfall in a region over many years.
Weather:
Climate: depends on temperature and precipitation (rainfall)
Major Climate Regions: Based on Latitude
El Nino
Causes a countercurrent in the Pacific Ocean, which forces warmer water toward the West Coast of North and South America
This causes unusual weather in many places
Sunspots and Climate
Some studies show a correlation between more sunspots and higher temperatures in North America.
The Rock Cycle
Physical Weathering: breaking rocks into smaller pieces physically
Chemical Weathering: breaking down materials through chemical reactions
Oxidation (rust)
Dissolution due to acid rain
Agents of Erosion: carry sediments from place to place
Wind
Water
IceGravity
Tectonic Plate Movement
Tectonic plates move mainly due to convection currents in the mantle.
Fault Boundaries
CONVERGENT DIVERGENT
TRANSFORM
Ring of Fire/Circum-Pacific Belt
MOST volcanoes and earthquakes occur here!
Magma and Lava
Both are molten rockMagma is under Earth’s surface, but lava has
been extruded on top of the surface
Lahar
When volcanoes erupt, snow can melt and mix with ash to form a lahar, or volcanic mudflow.
Volcanoes and Climate
When volcanoes erupt, ash can block out sunlight, causing temperatures to get cooler.
Earthquake Focus and Epicenter
The focus is where an earthquake originates underground.
The epicenter is the point on the surface directly above the focus.
P-Waves and S-Waves
P-Waves are fast, seismic waves that push and pull the ground. S-Waves come after P-Waves and shake the ground up and down.
The time difference between when P-Waves and S-Waves are recorded can be used to determine how far away an earthquake occurred.
Photosynthesis
Plants and algae use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to make food (glucose sugars) for themselves and oxygen.
Human ImpactsUrbanization (living in cities)
Deforestation Agriculture
Pros •Resources are easy to get•Jobs are more plentiful
•Trees are needed for lumber and paper products•Trees are a renewable, potentially sustainable resource
•Produces food in higher quantities
Cons •More concentrated air pollution•Paved surface increase temps. and keeps water from infiltrating disrupting water cycle•Destruction of habitats
•CO2 is not removed from air as often, which contributes to global warming•Habitats are destroyed
•Increased use of pesticides and fertilizers, which can run-off and pollute water•Soil erosion•Air pollution due to equipment (if traditional)
Urban Heat Island
Resources
Nonrenewable (cannot be replaced)
Renewable(Can be replaced within a relatively short period of time)
•Fossil Fuels -(Oil, Coal, Natural Gas)•Minerals•Metals
•Trees•Food Crops•Cotton•Livestock•Solar Power•Wind Power•Geothermal Power
Sustainable Use
Using resources at a rate at which they can be replaced
Conventional vs. Sustainable Farming
Conventional Sustainable
•Large-scale farms•Rely on heavy machinery/equipment•Use lots of fertilizers and pesticides•Monocultures (single type of crop)•Use fossil fuels to ship long distances
•Small to medium-scale farms•Rely heavily on human labor•Use less or no fertilizers and pesticides•Grow many different, diverse crops•Sell locally
Beach Stabilization
JETTIES
Sea Wall
Protects areas behind the wall, but increases erosion down from the wall
Replaces sand that has been lost
Mountainside Slope Stabilization
Add hardy plants that contour with the slope
Netting or slope controlblankets can also be used
Wells and Aquifers
Pros Cons
Provide fresh groundwater to people
Withdrawing too much water can lead to:•water shortages•subsidence (sinking)•saltwater intrusion , if near coastal areas (pulling saltwater into areas where fresh groundwater should be)
SUBSIDENCE
Dams
Pros Cons
•Store water•Can provide recreational areas•Can be used to generate hydroelectric power
•Alters a river’s natural flow•Can disrupt the life cycle of fish•Destroys habitats•Reduces biodiversity
Nonpoint Source Pollution:pollution which has no single, particular source
Sedimentation: too much dirt in the water can block sunlight from aquatic producers like algae
Stormwater run-off: washes road waste, oil, and harmful chemicals from urban areas into rivers
Arsenic: a toxic substance found naturally in minerals, but also added by humans through mining and industry
Fertilizer Run-off
1. Rain washes fertilizer into nearby surface water.
2. Algae grows out of control, then dies, removing oxygen from the water during the decomposition.
3. With no oxygen in the water, fish die. A fish kill
Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming
Greenhouse Effect Global Warming
•A natural process•Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane, and water vapor absorb some heat from the Sun during the day•Keeps the planet from freezing at night•Necessary for life
•More greenhouse gases, primarily CO2, are added to the atmosphere than normal•Caused by human activities (burning fossil fuels)•Earth’s temperatures are higher than they should be
The Greenhouse Gases
Carbon Dioxide: (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas. It comes from burning fossil fuels/vehicle exhaust.
Methane:Methane’s primary source is…cow farts!
Water vapor: released into the air through evaporation and transpiration (from plants)
Effects of Global Warming
Ice caps can melt. Some species may experience habitat loss.
Due to melting ice caps, sea levels can rise, flooding coastal areas.
Warmer water temperatures can increase the number of hurricanes each year.
Acid Rain
Coal-burning power plants and factories can release sulfur and nitrogen compounds into the air which can turn rain into a weak acid.
Ocean Acidification
CO2 in the air dissolves into the ocean, creating carbonic acid (the same type of acid in sodas.)
Similar to how sodas can dissolve your teeth, carbonic acid keeps ocean life with shells, like coral reefs, from forming properly
Decreasing CO2 Locally
Buy local, fresh produce…it doesn’t require as much transportation (less exhaust). Eat less meat…produce requires fewer resources to grow, and no methane-farting cows!
Use energy-saving lights and appliances…and turn them off when you are done!
Carpooling reduces carbon dioxide emissions from exhaust!
Decreasing CO2 Globally
Use alternative energy sources, instead of burning fossil fuels
Reduce deforestation…trees takes CO2 OUT of the air!
CFC’s and Ozone
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemicals found in some aerosol cans and refrigeration units. They damage our planet’s protective ozone layer, which could increase our exposure to dangerous UV radiation.
In North Carolina, we live in the temperate forest!
In the temperate forest, many trees’ have leaves which change color with the seasons.
Summers are warm and humid, with mild winters.
Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors of an Ecosystem
Biotic (Living Parts) Abiotic (Non-living Parts)
•Plants•Animals•Decomposers (Bacteria and Fungi)
•Temperature•Rainfall•Minerals•Oxygen•Sunlight
Biodiversity
All the different species of plants and animals in an area
Important for maintaining ecological relationships, food sources, medicines, and beauty
Where is biodiversity greatest?
Terrestrial biodiversity is greatest near the Equator
Aquatic biodiversity is greatest also around coral reefs
Invasive/Exotic Species in NC
They do damage mainly by consuming native species, competing with them for food or space, or introducing disease.
Lionfish Kudzu vine
Alternative Energy Sources
Pros Cons
Solar •Sunlight is free•Non-polluting
•Doesn’t work at night•Panels are expensive
Wind •Wind is free•Non-polluting
•Must be done on flat land with high winds•People think a wind farm is an eyesore•Has been known to kill bats
Biofuel
•Fuel made from renewable corn and other plants•No need for mining or drilling like with fossil fuels
•Releases CO2 when burned•Raises cost of corn
Alternative Energy Sources (continued)
Pros Cons
Nuclear Fission
•No CO2 emissions•Produces a lot of energy
•Requires mining of radioactive uranium•Produces radioactive waste, which must be carefully disposed of•Carries a danger of meltdown and release of radioactive material
Hydrogen Fuel CellsSeparates water molecules to burn the hydrogen
•Clean burning (no emissions)•Has potential to be a great fuel source for cars!
•Creating the hydrogen requires electricity•Currently, not energy efficient
Geothermal
•No burning necessary
•Must be in a location that has active stores of underground heat
Carrying Capacity
The number of individuals in a population that the environment can support
Populations will no longer continue to grow, but will level out due to lack of resources (food, water, nutrients, etc.)
These resources are called limiting factors
Ecological Footprint
A measure of the amount of land and resources that an individual uses to maintain their lifestyle
Many developed countries, like the U.S., have a greater ecological footprint, than developing, poorer countries.
(We use more stuff!)