Earth Science Quiz #1

40 flashcards · Other · by KeyLige7

1. Hypothesis

   A testable explanation through previous knowledge that can be proven incorrect all the time

2. Theory

   A guess or hypothesis through a group of facts repeatedly tested, used to make a prediction

3. Uncertaintity

   The doubtfulness of something, within science its associated with a measurement, method error or analysis, (Don't fully know what they're talking about)

4. false equivalency

   The thought that certain points are equal or certain sides are equal when in reality one is selected with real data and statistics, while the other opinion is supported with real data while the other side is just an opinion

5. Information Literacy

   the ability to figure out the type of information you need, find that information, evaluate it, and properly use it

6. How do you use information literacy?

   Check to see if its a trusted site or article, is it more biased towards one side?, check the author of the source

7. What is a system?

   An entity composed of diverse but interrelated parts that function as a complex whole. (you can define the boundaries of the system set apart from its surroundings)

8. Whats an isolated system?

   No exchange of matter or energy with the surroundings

9. What's a closed system?

   No exchange of matter but does an exchange energy (Matter is fixed and FINAL)

10. What's an open system?

    The exchange of both matter and energy with the surroundings

11. What type of system is Earth?

    A closed system bc we have little matter with plenty of energy being exchanged

12. Conservation of mass

    The principle that matter cannot be created nor destroyed

13. What does steady-state mean?

    The mass in the reservoir stays the same

14. Residence time or lifetime equation

    (reservoir mass/flux out)

16. Replacement time equation

    (reservoir mass/Flux in)

17. Positive feedback

    The system's response is in the same direction as the output

18. Negative Feedback

    The systems response is in the opposite direction as the output

19. 2 first Characteristics of the Phosphorus Cycle

    Essential nutrient for all living organisms phosphorus compounds are usually soluble

20. 2 second Characteristics of the Phosphorus cycle

    The largest reservoir is rocks and is liberated by weathering, P cycles only through long-term geological cycles

21. What are the human impacts on the Phosphorus cycle

    Fertilizers, agricultural runoff, sewage, and soaps

22. 2 first Characteristics of the Nitrogen Cycle

    The atmosphere is the largest reservoir for the N cycle, N2 is in the atmosphere which has a triple bond

23. 2 second Characteristics of the Nitrogen cycle

    Certain bacteria can "fix" nitrogen using nitrogenase which creates usable nitrogen, lightning can also fix nitrogen

24. How to cycle nitrogen back into the atmosphere

    You need denitrification, which releases N2O

25. What are the human impacts on the Nitrogen cycle

    Increased nitrogen fixation, increased fertilization, increased planting crops that have a symbiotic relationship with N-fixing bacteria, increased combustion, have doubled the amount of fixed nitrogen, high temps break N2 which gives NOx

26. What are the three main human impacts on the N cycle?

    Increased Nitrogen Fixation, Increased denitrification, Increased leaching

27. laws of thermodynamics: first law

    energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be transferred and transformed

28. Laws of Thermodynamics: Second Law

    With each energy transfer or transformation energy becomes less useful or lower quality

29. What are the sources of energy on the earth?

    Solar radiation= 99.985%, geothermal energy=0.013%, tidal energy=0.002%

30. The fraction of incoming energy on earth is reflected

    Albedo

31. short-wavelength equals

    high frequency

32. Long wavelengths equal

    low frequency

33. What is the visible spectrum range from?

    400-700(nm) or .04-.7(um)

34. Blackbody

    Something that emits electromagnetic radiation with 100% efficiency at all wavelengths this is described by the planks constant

35. Energy Flux

    the amount of energy passing perpendicularly through a unit area per unit time

36. Wein's Law

    the wavelength where the max amount of emissions are being amplified

37. Stefan-Boltzmann Law

    The relationship stating that an object emits energy at a rate proportional to the fourth power of its temperature, in Kelvins.

38. The peak of a blackbody is the ___

    max emission

39. Wein's Law Equation

    λmax=(2898umK/T(K))

40. Stefan-Boltzmann Law equation

    E=oT^4