AP Human Geography Chapter 14 Resources – Flashcards
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resource
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a substance in the environment that is useful to people, is economically and technology feasible to access, and is socially acceptable to use
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animate power
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power supplied by people or animals
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inanimate power
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power supplied by machines
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biomass fuel
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fuel that derives from plant material and animal waste
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fossil fuel
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an energy source formed from the residue of plants and animals buried millions of years ago
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proven reserve
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the amount of a resource remaining in a discovered deposits
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fission
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the splitting of an atomic nucleus to release energy
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radioactive waste
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particles from a nuclear reaction that emit radiation; contact with such particles may be harmful or lethal to people, therefore the particles must be safely stored for thousands of years
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breeder reactor
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a nuclear power plant that creates its own fuel from plutonium
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ferrous
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metals, including ore, that are utilized in the production of iron and steel
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nonferrous
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Metals utilized to make products other than iron and steel
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pollution
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Addition of more waste than a resource can accommodate
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air pollution
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Concentration of trace substances, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and solid particulates, at a greater level than occurs in average air.
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greenhouse effect
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Anticipated increase in Earth's temperature caused by carbon dioxide (emitted by burning fossil fuels) trapping some of the radiation emitted by the surface.
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ozone
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A gas that absorbs ultraviolet solar radiation found in the stratosphere, a zone between 15 and 50 km above Earth's surface
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chloroflourocarbon
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A gas used as a solvent, a propellant in aerosols, a refrigerant, and in plastic foams and fire extinguishers
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acid deposition
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Sulfur oxides and nitrogen, emitted by burning fossil fuels, enter the atmosphere - where they combine with oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid - and return to Earth's surface
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acid precipitation
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Conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog.
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photochemical smog
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an atmospheric condition formed through a combination of weather conditions and pollution, especially from motor vehicle emmissions
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potential reserve
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the amount of energy in deposits not yet identifies but thought to exist
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biochemical oxygen demand
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amount of oxygen required by aquatic bacteria to decompose a given load of organic wast; a measure of water pollution
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sanitary landfill
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A place to deposit solid waste, where a layer of earth is bulldozed over garbage each day to reduce emissions of gases and odors from the decaying trash, to minimize fires, and to discourage vermin
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hydroelectric power
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power generated from moving water
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geothermal energy
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Energy from steam or hot water produced from hot or molten underground rocks.
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fussion
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the creation of energy by the joining the nuclei of the two hydrogen atoms
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passive solar energy systems
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Solar energy systems that collect energy without the use of mechanical devices
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active solar energy
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Solar energy systems that collect energy through the use of physical devices like photovoltaic cells or flat-plate collectors
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photovoltaic cells
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Solar energy cells, usually made from silicon, that collect solar rays to generate electricity.
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recycling
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The separation, collection, processing, marketing, and reuse of unwanted material.
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conservation
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The sustainable use and management of a natural resource through consuming it at a less rapid rate than it can be replaced
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preservation
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Maintenance of a resource in its present condition with as little human impact as possible.
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sustainable development
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The level of development that can be maintained in a country without depleting resources to the extent that future generations will be unable to achieve a comparable level of development
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biodiversity
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the number of species within a specific habitat
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Why are resources being depleted?
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Resources are being depleted because we consume resources we are depleting Earth's supply. Fossil fuels and mineral are distributed unevenly across earth, and supplies are not found in places where demand is highest.
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Why are resources being polluted?
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Human beings are damaging and destroying Earth's resources through pollution, the discharge of waste at exceeding the environment's capacity to absorb it. Pollutants are discharged into the atmosphere, water, and onto land.
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Why are resources reusable?
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Depletion and destruction of scarce resources can be minimized by converting from nonrenewable to renewable sources of energy and by recycling more unwanted waste.
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Why can resources be conserved?
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Sustainable development promotes economic development while not reducing the world's current resource base. Especially important in conserving natural resources is to maintain biodiversity through minimizing species extinction in the development process.
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Should the U.S. raise the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency standards to conserve fuel and reduce air pollution, even if the result is a loss of American jobs?
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Yes. The cars would become more efficient and need less gasoline. The U.S. would become less dependent on foreign oil. People would save money on gas even if the car would cost more to buy. The quantity of the oil will lower causing the more people use it so the extraction of petroleum to become more expensive and more environmentally destructive. The environment will be better for future generations. The government can slowly help the people losing their jobs get other jobs, the environment is more important.
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Malthus argues 200 years ago that overpopulation was inevitable, because population increased geometrically while food supply increased arithmetically. Was Malthus correct? Explain.
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Malthus was correct that overpopulation was inevitable in some countries (LDCs), but all in all he was wrong. He did not account for the fact that people could increase food production with new technology and there would more effective contraceptives slowing down birth rates. Also cultural changes have caused lower birth rates and a change in women's role in society. Wars between countries have also caused thousands of people to die.
