question

A dramatic increase in US total freshwater withdrawls during the period leading up to 1980 was mostly associated with

answer

irrigation and electrical production

question

Total withdrawals after this period actually declined and have remained steady due to ________

answer

more efficient water use

question

___ is the term that describes the volume of groundwater that can be held in subsurface materials

answer

Porosity

question

____ materials composed of clay, sand, or gravel sized particles normally hold large volumes of water, whereas ______ rocks with interlocking mineral grains usually contain water only in fractures

answer

sedimentary crystalline

question

Moving groundwater will dissolve certain types of ____ rocks, forming large passage ways and caverns that hold significant amounts of water

answer

limestone

question

Although clay-rich materials hold large volumes of water, they have very low ______ due to their strong _____ attraction to the water molecule.

answer

permeability electrical

question

The hydraulic gradient is defined as the ____ of a water table or potentiometric surface, and is calculated from the difference in _______ (water level) and _____ bw any two points within an aquifer

answer

steepness hydraulic head distance

question

Large groundwater withdrawals can reverse the _______thereby changing the direction of groundwater flow

answer

hydraulic gradient

question

his can allow seawater along a coastline to migrate laterally into the freshwater portion of an aquifer, creating the serious problem know as ________

answer

salt water intrusion

question

Because a pumping well draws in water from all directions, a coastal aquifer can also become contaminated when salt water from deep _____ migrates upwards along faults and fractures that cut across the ______

answer

aquifers aquiards

question

When water is pumed from the subsurface it decreases the ____ pressure within sedimentary materials, forcing the solid particles to support more of the weight

answer

pore or fluid

question

This causes aquifers and aquitards to undergo ______ and a reduction in volume, which leads to the problem known as _________

answer

compaction land subsidence

question

Because clay minerals are much more _____ than quartz grains or rock fragments, most of the volume reduction occurs within the _______

answer

compressible aquitards

question

.Higher Treatment costs .Higher Operating Costs .Higher Capital Investment .Contaminated more easily

answer

Surface water supply

question

. Contaminated less easily .Lower treatment costs . Lower operating costs . Lower Capital Investment

answer

Groundwater Supply

question

Before saltwater can be used for most human applications the bulk of the dissolved ions or salts must be removed, a process referred to as ______

answer

desalinization

question

One method for removing the ions is called ____ which involves boiling salt water such that water molecules vaporize, but the dissolved ions stay behind the liquid

answer

distallation

question

The other method is called ________ , in which a semipermeable membrane allows water molecules to pass through under pressure, but not the dissolved ions

answer

revere osmosis

question

One problem with these methods is that the remaining wastewater has a salt content much greater than that of seawater, thereby creating a _______ issue

answer

waste disposal

question

Another problem is that both methods require significant amounts of _____ making them considerably ______ than traditional water resources

answer

energy more expensive

question

. Less hazardous to mine . More disruptive to surface environment . Lower labor costs

answer

Surface Mining

question

. More hazardous to mine . Less disruptive to surface environment . Higher labor costs

answer

Underground mining

question

In recent years, companies have been able to extract oil and natural gas from petroleum source rocks (reddish layer) by ...

answer

using directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques

question

Contamination of shallow aquifers by developing shale oil and gas deposits...

answer

can occur when fracking fluids leak through well casings near the aquifers and by migrating upwards along abandoned wells

question

Seven basic energy sources

answer

Oil (37%), natural gas(25%), coal(22%), nuclear(8.6%), renewables (3.6%), hydro(2.6%), biomass(2.0%)

question

Primary energy sources used to produce electricity

answer

Coal (45%) natural gas (24%) Nuclear (20%) renewables (10%) other (1%)

question

The Peak Oil Theory tell us that.

answer

peak production of conventional crude should have occured approximately 30 yrs after the period of peak discovery in the 1960-70s

question

In the future, we should find it more difficult to maintain current production levels of conventional oil because...

answer

the rate of new discoveries will be less than the depletion rate of existing reservoirs

question

The oil and as fields lie in different regions on this map because...

answer

the reservoir rocks o the gas fields were at one time buried deeper than the oil window

question

The Straits of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf is important bc

answer

its a strategic checkpoint where 20% of the worlds oil supply must pass

question

Compared to light crude oil, heavy crude oils are those with a ____ proportion of heavy molecules and ___ sulfur atoms

answer

higher more

question

Heavy oils are more ____ which makes them more difficult and costly to extract and transport

answer

viscous

question

Also heavy crudes are also less desirable bc they produce smaller amounts of _____ when refined, plus the refining costs are higher

answer

gasoline

question

Because ___ crudes have been the most profitable to produce, most of the worlds remaining oil reserves are on the ___ and more sulfur- rich end of the spectrum

answer

light heavy

question

Synthetic Crude oil is now being produced from tar sand deposites in Canada. The hydocarbons are in the form of ____, ,a highly viscous fluid that is more like ____ than conventional crude oil

answer

bitumen asphalt

question

Here the hydrocarbons are first seperated from the sand using _____ then converted into crude in a process that requires considerable amounts of ________

answer

steam natural gas

question

One of the major problems associated with using tar sands is that it produces much more ______ compared to conventional crude oil

answer

carbon dioxide

question

Gas hydrates are ___ like substances composed of ___ gas and water molecules

answer

ice methane

question

Gas hydrates are commonly found in polar regions with marine ____ and _____ soils

answer

sediment permafrost

question

Although these deposits represent a potential major source of energy, commercial production does not yet occur due to _______ and physical dangers

answer

technical issues

question

. Carbon- free electricity . Renewable electricity . flood control . recreation . water supply

answer

Positive attributes related to hydroelectric power

question

. Damage stream ecosystems . Blocks migrating fish . Traps Sediment . Risk of catastrophic flood . Geographically restricted

answer

Negative attributes related to hydroelectric power

question

. Carbon- free and renewable energy . Continous production of electrcity .Produces electricity on large scale . Doesnt contribute to acid rain

answer

Positive attributes related to nuclear power plants

question

. Produces radioactive by-products . risk of accident and contamination of air/water . lack of longterm waste storage . Proliferation of nuclear weapons

answer

Negative attributes related to nuclear power plants

question

The process called _____ takes place when _____ strikes a solid object and is transformed into thermal or heat energy

answer

solar heating solar radiation

question

A passive solar system is different from an active system in that it doesnt involve any _____ to distribute the heat throughout a building

answer

mechanical parts

question

Energy from the sun preheats water so your standard water heater will use less energy

answer

active solar system

question

. Direct sunlight blocked by overhang and tree leaves in the summer . Deciduous trees allow direct sunlight during the winter

answer

passive solar system

question

Photovoltaic panels consist of individual cells made of _____ alloys that transform _____ directly into electricity

answer

silicon solar radiation

question

Light particles called ____ are absorbed by the panels uppermost layer, dislodging _____ which then move in a circulating manner to form an electrical current

answer

photons electrons

question

Although photovoltaic systems generate _____ amounts of electricity on sunny days, they produce _____ on cloudy days and ____ at night

answer

considerable much less none

question

Wind energy firms are building multiple wind turbines in what are called ______ in order to maximize profits through the use of the economies of _____

answer

wind farms scale

question

For wind energy to be cost-effective, turbines need to be located where the winds are strong and _____ for much of the year

answer

steady

question

These conditions are common on top of mountain ridges and _____ which act to funnel the wind. Other ideal location include windswept coastlines and _______

answer

passes open plains

question

. Heat removed from building . Heat added to ground . Ground cooler than air

answer

Summer view of a geothermal heat pump system

question

. Heat added to building . Heat removed from ground .Compressor . Ground warmer than air

answer

Winter view of a geothermal heat pump system

question

Electrical demand fluctuates, reaching a peak in the _____ and then dropping to a minimum called _____. This minimum occurs at ___ when human activity is at its lowest

answer

afternoon base load night

question

Because electricity cant be stored in significant quantities, utility companies must _____ produce enough electricity to meet the minimum demand, yet have enough aditional capacity to meet ____ demand everyday

answer

continously peak

question

Utility companies prefer to use _____ of energy because its easier to adjust production to meet the constantly changing demand simply by using more fuel. In Contrast, _______ of energy do not provide the same flexibility

answer

stored forms intermittent forms

question

The global temperature data from land- and sea based measurements clearly indicate that the Earth is in a significant ___ trend

answer

warming

question

The vast majority of climate researchers believe that this trend is a response of the Earth system to the sudden change in _______ in the atmosphere

answer

greenhouse gases

question

Although predicting the future climate is difficult, what scientists know for certain is that the atmosphere is relatively ____ and that _____ is causing it to _____ additional heat

answer

thin human activity retain

question

The ability of certain ______ to trap heat and warm the planet is known as the greenhouse effect

answer

atmospheric gases

question

Because the atmosphere is ______ to incoming solar radiation, most of the radiation strikes Earths land and oceans, at which point the light rays are either reflected, or absorbed and transformed into _____ energy

answer

transparent thermal

question

Because this warms Earths surface, the planet itself emits electromagnetic radiation where the wavelengths are in the _______, infrared portion of the spectrum

answer

longer

question

Greenhouse gases _____ some of the outgoing radiation, which is then transferred to the atmosphere as ____ energy

answer

absorb thermal

question

Controls difference in winter/ summer solar heating

answer

eccentricity of orbit

question

affects intensity of seasons

answer

axial tilt

question

changes timing of seasons

answer

precession of axis

question

The detailed, 2000 year climate record from Greenland includes the ________, which coincides with the expansion of human settlements in Europe and Greenland. The _______ followed, causing the collpase of Greenland colonies and bringing famine to Europe

answer

Medieval Warm Period Little Ice Age

question

This 2000 year record illustrates how human civilization is ______ to variation in climate. One of the key lessons from the entire 50000 year record is how remarkably _____ the climate system has been for the past 10000 years, a period when human civilization began to flourish

answer

sensitive stable

question

Of concern is the possibility that ______ could destabilize the planets sensitive climate system, causing civilization to face _____ changes in the climate

answer

global warming dramatic

question

The climate of a region is the statistical variation of daily ____ events, where the number of days with cool weather _______ the days with warm weather. Global warming is expected to cause a shift in _____ worldwide, resulting in more hot ____ events and record highs compared to today

answer

climate weather roughly equals climate weather

question

Evidence of global warming shown by a _______ in the number of years when global temperatures have been above the recent long- term average

answer

significant increase

question

In this 800000 year climate record from Antartica, we see that carbon dioxide concentrations have consistently ranged bw ________ parts per million while the climate system oscillated back and forth between glacial and interglacial periods

answer

180 and 280

question

This pattern results from _________ that trigger a change in Earths heat balance, followed by _____ feedbacks that amplify the initial change and ______ feedback's that keep the system in check

answer

orbital variations positive negative

question

Because human activity has pushed carbon dioxide levels up to ___ parts per million by 2012, a level far above Earths normal operating range, scientists fear this could destabilize the climate system and cause ____ rather than ____ climate change

answer

395 abrupt gradual

question

As Earths climate system gains additional heat energy, evaporation rates will ____ This and the fact that a warmer atmosphere is capable of holding ____ unusually heavy rain and snow events

answer

increase more more

question

A warmer world should also bring a greater number of record highs, which will increase the potential for _____ conditions. These conditions will worsen in some areas bc spring rains are occurring ______, which will _____ the amt of time soils are exposed to dry, summer conditions

answer

drought earlier increase

question

Because Earths existing _____ are expected to become larger, humans will likely have to move into what are now _______ in search of habitable living space

answer

deserts polar regions

question

As the amount of Arctic sea ice continues to shrink, it ______ the amount of reflected sunlight, which ____ solar heating and causes the Arctic Ocean to become warmer

answer

decreases increases

question

This sets up a ______ feedback, where the warmer ocean temperature ______ the rate of ice loss, which leads to even higher ocean temperatures and melting

answer

positive increases

question

One concern is that the loss of sea ice may soon pass a ________, beyond which the ice would not return in the foreseeable future, thereby ______ the rate of global warming

answer

critical threshold speeding up

question

Another concern is that a newly exposed Arctic OCean would alter existing ______ patterns in ways not yet understood

answer

global weather

question

Based on temperature projections from climate models run under different _______ scenarios, scientists have estimated that sea level will likely rise between 0.6 and 1.9 feet by 2100

answer

greenhouse gas

question

Because the massive Antartica and Greenland ice sheets are very complex, the models had to assume the ice sheets will melt similar to blocks of ____ icem whereas they are actually _______

answer

solid highly fractured

question

This allows summer melt water to move downward, causing the ice to melt _______. The result is a ______ feedback where the initial melting triggers even greater melting; causing the large ice sheets to breakup much more _______

answer

from within positive rapidly

question

Scientists now estimate that if both ice sheets were to destabilize, sea level would rise 33 ft over the course of a few _____ years, destroying much of the worlds coastal infrastructure and displacing hundreds of millions of peopel

answer

hundred

question

A stabilization ____ represents the amount that carbon dioxide emissions need to be reduced in order to keep future emissions at some stable level

answer

triangle

question

This can be accomplished through the collective contribution of individual stabilization _____, which represent different carbon dioxide ______ strategies, such as the use of wind and solar power, improved energy efficiency, reforestation and conservation

answer

reduction wedges

question

Because human activity has been releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere _____ than the rate it is being removed by natural processes, atmospheric temperatures are expected to keep ____ for many years even if we stopped all emission today

answer

faster increasing

question

There are two basic types of shorelines in terms of plate tectonics: leading edge (active) and trailing edge (passive). What best describes leading edge shorelines?

answer

steep slopes, irregular coastline, restricted beaches

question

What best describes the cause of ocean tides?

answer

Earths spinning motion and gravitational effect of the Moon and Sun

question

Currents out in the open ocean are primarily driven by..

answer

prevailing winds and density differences of the water

question

Key characteristics of ocean waves

answer

energy travels horizontally and water molecules move in a circular motion

question

How surf forms along a shoreline

answer

waves beginning to drag on the seafloor and slowing down

question

Why do long shore currents develop along shorelines?

answer

wave refraction

question

Why are longshore currents important in environmental geology?

answer

cause the beach itself to migrate over time

question

What best describes why irregular shorelines evolve and become straighter over time?

answer

waves erode headlands and deposit sediment in coves and bays

question

Primary mechanism that causes barrier islands to retreat (migrate) toward the shoreline?

answer

storm overwash

question

Hurricanes cause a regional rise in sea level ( dome of water) that can result in a very dangerous phenomenon know as storm surge What best explains the cause for this rise in sea level?

answer

high winds and lower air pressure within the storm

question

Energy source that provides power for tropical storms and hurricanes

answer

warm seawater

question

What is the most effective means of minimizing the structural damage that results from the high winds of a hurricane?

answer

strap the roof to the frame and board the windows

question

What will not cause a tsunami? . ASteroid impacts . earthquakes . landslides . volcanic eruptions . strong winds

answer

strong winds

question

Shoreline retreat is a natural process that humans have made worse in recent years. Which of the following is not a major factor in the rate at which shorelines move inland? . disruptions in sediment supply . coastal development . seal level rise . frequency of storms

answer

coastal development

question

Seawalls are commonly used to stop shoreline retreat What is a negative consequence of building a seawall?

answer

loss of the beach at high tide

question

Beach nourishment is a common technique or minimizing shoreline retreat. What is a negative consequence of beach nourishment?

answer

costly and must be done periodically

question

Breakwaters are commonly used in coastal engineering. WHat is the basic purpose of installing a breakwater?

answer

create a quite area to moor boats and reduce erosion

question

Over the past 3 million years, sea level has been as much as 400 ft lower and 100 ft higher compared to today

answer

True

question

Massive wasting hazards are less likely to occur along trailing edge (passive) shoreline than along leading edge ( tectonically active) since the slopes are typically much more gentle.

answer

False

question

What is the basic mechanism that naturally creates freshwater within the hydrolic cycle?

answer

evaporation

question

Where is the majority of Earths freshwater being stored?

answer

glacial ice

question

What activities use the greatest amount of water in the US?

answer

irrigation and electrical generation

question

Due to geology, some regions have to rely entirely on surface water. What is a common technique used to expand surface water supplies?

answer

water diversions

question

In terms of supplying sufficient quantities of drinking water, what is the most important property of an aquifer?

answer

high permeability (conductivity)

question

Which of the following earth materials would not make for a good aquifer? . sandy sediment . fractured granite . sandstone . shale . soluble limestone

answer

shale

question

Which of the following statements regarding streams and groundwater is NOT true? . WHen a stream goes dry it means the adjoining aquifer will also go dry . infiltrating water contributes to the supply of groundwater . when the water table becomes lower than a stream channel, the stream can run dry . groundwater baseflow is what allows streams to keep flowing during dry periods . when the water table is higher than a stream channel, ground water flows into the stream

answer

when a stream goes dry it means the adjoining aquifer will also go dry

question

What best explains why confined aquifers make for a safer water supply compared to unconfined aquifers? . Unconfined aquifers are open to the surface env. . Confined aquifers dont have an overlying aquitard for protection . the water in confined aquifers is naturally filtered . unconfined aquifers have greater water pressure . confined aquifers have greater water pressure

answer

unconfined aquifers are open to the surface environment

question

What best describes the direction that groundwater flows in the subsurface

answer

from areas of high hydraulic head to low hydraulic head

question

What is the basic difference bw modern water wells and older hand dug wells?

answer

older wells are much larger in diameter

question

When water is pumped from a well it creates a cone- of- depression. What is the basic reason this sometimes causes problems?

answer

it reverses the natural direction of groundwater flow

question

What describes the problem know as groundwater mining?

answer

falling groundwater levels due to excessive pumping

question

What best describes the problem known as saltwater intrusion

answer

heavy pumping allows saline water to migrate into freshwater aquifers

question

Water desalinization techniques

answer

distillation and reverse osmosis

question

What best describes the environmental problem associated with desalinization?

answer

disposing of the concentrated saltwater

question

Xeriscaping is a water conservation technique commonly used in landscaping. What best describes xeriscaping?

answer

use of negative vegetation

question

Groundwater recharge occurs every time it rains

answer

False Groundwater recharge only occurs when soil moisture becomes great enough that the water is able to flow downward by gravity and into the GW system. These conditions are more common during the winter and spring when evap. and transpiration are low, allowing the buildup of soil moisture

question

Solar energy drives the hydrologic cycle

answer

True. The hydrologic cycle is driven by solar radiation that causes water to evaporate from the oceans and land surface

question

Desalinization is desirable bc it is an energy efficient process

answer

False. Desalinization requires significant amounts of energy, making it considerably more expensive than extracting and processing traditional water resources

question

When groundwater recharge is less than discharge it can cause land subsidence to occue

answer

True. When GW recharge is less than discharge subsurface water levels (pressure) will decline, which causes materials to compact and can lead to land subsidence

question

If energy is the capacity to perform work or transfer heat, what is work?

answer

when an object is moved a given distance against some force

question

Which is true regarding chemical energy? . Is the same as heat energy . Comes from the flow of electrons . All the above . is derived from the nucleus of atoms . is stored in chemical bonds

answer

is stored in chemical bonds

question

What best defines energy efficiency?

answer

measures how much of the original energy goes to its intended purpose

question

Which of the following statements regarding coal is false? . Forms in swamp like conditions . Carbon content decreases as depth of burial increases . requires increases in temp. and pressure to transform organic matter into coal . is found in sedimentary rock sequences . originates from decaying plant material

answer

carbin content decreases as depth of burial increases

question

Environmental problems associated with society's use of coal

answer

acid rain land subsidence acid mine drainage greenhouse gas emissions and climate change

question

What best describes how petroleum is different than coal?

answer

contains considerable amounts of hydrogen

question

What best explains how crude oil is different from natural gas

answer

consists of longer chains of hydrocarbon molecules

question

What is essential in order for petroleum to accumulate in a trap

answer

. a porous rock to store the hydrocarbon molecules . a low permeability cap rock that prevents the escape of hydrocarbons . hydrocarbons must migrate from a source rock . the source rock must generate hydrocarbon molecules

question

What best describes the oil window?

answer

depth interval where temperatures allow oil to form in a source rock

question

Approx. how much of the US energy supply consists of fossil fuels?

answer

90%

question

What energy source make sup the largest percentage of the electricity produced in the US?

answer

coal

question

Which of the following regarding the peak oil theory is false? . Is based on the act that oil is a finite resource . Predicts a production decline to follow a decline in new discoveries predicts that world production of conventioanl crude oil will soon peak. . Has yet to be shown to be true for a single nation . is a statistical model developed be a petroleum geologist named Hubbert

answer

has yet to be shown to be true for a single nation

question

Basic problem or issue with respect to expanding the worlds oil supply in the future.

answer

. Fewer giant fields are being found today . Discoveries of new fields peaked in the 1970s . Numerous smaller fields mist be found to offset production declines in older fields . Remaining deposits are more expensive and difficult to extract

question

What represents the most effective strategy for ultimetly addressing the problem of peak oil?

answer

reduce demand for conventional oil and increase supply of alternatives

question

Which of the following is not a replacement for conventional oil? . natural gas . biofuels . electricity . shale oil . coal liquefaction

answer

electricity

question

Nuclear energy is often called radiant energy

answer

False. Radiant energy, which often comes from the sun, is often called solar energy

question

Economical petroleum traps are geologically rare

answer

True. Traps that contain economical amounts of petroleum are relatively rare froom a geologic perspective

question

China, with is large population, has the highest per capita energy consumption in the world.

answer

False. China and India have large population but low per capita energy consumption rates because they are still developing, hence their toal energy usage is still less than that of the US

question

Fossil fuels are distributed fairly evenly around the globe.

answer

False. Fossil fuels are unevenly distributed around the world. The middle east contains vast amounts of oil, but virtually no coal reserves, and Japan essentially has no fossil fuels

question

With respect to conventional oil, the US reached production in the 1970s

answer

True. Production in the US is currently increasing due to the extraction of shale oil using directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, but its unlikely that total production will ever exceed the 1970s

question

Synthetic crude oil can be made through a process of liquefying coal. What is the primary problem with using coal to help meet the growing demand for oil?

answer

higher carbon dioxide emissions

question

In comparison to light crude oil, which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to heavy crude oil? . Heavy crude oil is more difficult to extract . Oil companies prefer heavy crude oil bc it is more profitable . refining heavy crude oil is more expensive . most of the remaining oil reserves consist of heavier crudes . heavy crude oil is more viscous

answer

oil companies prefer heavy crude oil because it is more profitable

question

What best explains why carbon dioxide emissions are so much higher using tar sands compared to conventional crude oil?

answer

tar sands require additional energy to produce

question

What best describes oil shale deposits?

answer

organic rich source rock that has never been buried deep enough to produce oil

question

The original method of processing oil shale involved crushing the rock and then heating it. What environmental problem did this create that the new method (heating the rock in place) seeks to avoid?

answer

disposing of large volumes of waste rock

question

Gas hydrates represent a potential source of natural gas. Which of the following is the primary reason commercial production is not yet taking place?

answer

high potential for the uncontrolled release of gas

question

Which of the following is NOT true regarding the production of corn-based ethanol as an alternative to gasoline in the United States? .production requires a significant amount of farmland .production likely results in a net energy loss .provides a long-term solution to our energy needs .it is helping to drive up food prices .it is less energy efficient than gasoline

answer

provides a long term solution to our energy needs

question

A pumped-storage system is where water is pumped up into an elevated reservoir, and then allowed to fall to produce electricity. What is the basic reason this system is economical?

answer

surplus electricity at night is being used to pump water into reservoir

question

What best describes the major advantages of generating electricity with nuclear power plants?

answer

generates electricity on a large scale and doesnt emit carbon dioxide

question

What best describes the major disadvantages of nuclear power?

answer

high production costs and lack of long term waste storage

question

What energy transformation takes place when sunlight strikes an ordinary solid object?

answer

electromagnetic to thermal (heat)

question

What describes the difference between passive and active solar energy designs?

answer

Active involves some type of mechanical system

question

What best describes the difference between solar thermal and photovoltaic systems?

answer

photovoltaic generates electricity only

question

Which of the following describes the advantages of wind power over solar?

answer

Wind turbines can generate power at night and on cloudy days

question

What best explains why producing electricity via geothermal energy is restricted geographically?

answer

Areas where shallow crustal rocks are sufficiently hot are relatively rare

question

Which of the following describes the basic way in which electricity is generated using the ocean thermal energy conversion technique, or OTEC?

answer

temperature difference bw the surface and deep ocean waters

question

With respect to the U.S. transportation system, what best explains why electric motors are considered as the most sustainable means of running cars and trains in the future?

answer

Fuels for internal combustion engines all produce greenhouse gases

question

A likely future model for the electrical grid is a decentralized system where power is generated from numerous sources distributed across the grid. What would the primary role of nuclear power be in this model?

answer

provide steady amounts of power to meet baseload demand

question

Light crude oil contains a higher proportion of shorter chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms compared to heavy crude oil.

answer

True: Crude oil is composed of different chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Those oils that contain more of an abundance of lighter, shorter hydrocarbon chains are referred to as light crudes

question

With respect to geothermal energy, Earth's internal heat escapes evenly though the crust.

answer

False: The outflow of heat through Earths crust is not uniform. Higher rates of heat loss generally occur in areas of tectonic and volcanic activity or where crust is thin

question

Which of the following statements with respect to Earth's climate is NOT true? .Earth is currently in a strong warming trend. .the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. .past climate changes have caused societies to collapse. .variation in energy output from the Sun is too small to explain current warming. .atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are currently well within Earth's recent operating range.

answer

atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are currently well within Earths recent operating range

question

What best explains the effect of greenhouse gases on Earth's atmosphere?

answer

absorb some of the energy Earth radiates out into space

question

Which of the following statements regarding carbon dioxide (CO2) and the greenhouse effect is true? .all of the answers listed here. .global warming from burning fossil fuels was predicted in the 1800s. .link between CO2 and the greenhouse effect was proven in the 1800s. .CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is relatively low. .without CO2, the average global temperature would be below freezing.

answer

All of the answers

question

Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas? .methane (CH4) .water (H2O) .nitrogen (N2) .nitrogen oxide (N2O) .carbon dioxide (CO2)

answer

nitrogen

question

There are several long-term changes in Earth's orbit that affect how heat from the Sun is distributed over the planet. Which of the following describes how the orbit changes from being elliptical to more circular?

answer

Eccentricity

question

Which of the following statements regarding variations in Earth's orbit is true? .all of the answers listed here. .even together, they don't produce enough temperature change to cause an ice age. .they can fully account for the recent rise in global temperature. .their effect on global temperatures was only recently discovered by NASA scientists. .their combined effect on past global temperatures is purely hypothetical.

answer

even together, they dont produce enough temperature change to cause an ice age

question

Which of the following are considered climate feedback mechanisms? .greenhouse gases and short-wavelength radiation .ocean tides and ocean circulation .short-wavelength radiation and ocean circulation .greenhouse gases and reflection/adsorption of sunlight .short-wavelength radiation and reflection/adsorption of sunlight

answer

greenhouse gases and reflection/adsorption of sunlight

question

With respect to modeling Earth's climate system, which of the following best describes global circulation models (GCMs)?

answer

Accurately simulate the past climate and are used to project the future climate

question

What best explains the problem with using sediment layers to determine past climatic conditions?

answer

Do not provide details on year-to year variations

question

What best explains why glacial ice cores are ideal for examining climatic conditions in Earth's past?

answer

Provide high-resolution data on both temperature and carbon dioxide

question

Ice core data have revealed which of the following? .Earth's climate shows a history of abrupt and rapid changes in temperature. .current carbon dioxide concentrations are far outside of Earth's recent operating range. .all of the answers listed here. .there's a strong correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide and temperature. .Earth's climate has been remarkably stable for the past 10,000 years.

answer

All of the answers

question

What do climatologists NOT expect to see now that Earth's climate system has been pushed to a higher energy level?

answer

The warming trend to reverse in the near future

question

What do climatologists fear might happen if the Earth system crosses a climate threshold?

answer

System will enter a period of abrupt and dramatic climate change

question

What do climatologists predict will occur as the Earth continues to warm?

answer

. More frequent heavy rain and snow events . atmosphere will hold more water vapor . more frequent droughts . higher evaporation rates

question

One important consequence of global warming is that Earth's climatic zones are expected to shift. Which of the following would affect large parts of Earth's population as winters arrive later and end earlier?

answer

Less melt water to sustain streams during the summer months

question

Sea level is expected rise due to continued melting of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Which of the following best describes why climatologists are likely to have underestimated the rate of sea level rise?

answer

Ice sheets are melting from within as water flows down through fractures

question

Ocean acidification is taking place as the oceans absorb some of the additional carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What is the basic environmental problem that this creates?

answer

More difficult for marine organisms to secret their own productive shells

question

Which of the following best explains why continued warming of the Arctic is expected to greatly accelerate the rate of global warming?

answer

Loss of sea ice and thawing of gas hydrates

question

Earth's glacial periods are explained by orbital variations that produce a small temperature change, which is then amplified by changes in carbon dioxide concentrations.

answer

True: Orbital variations affect the distibution of solar radiation striking the Earth, This in turn produces a small temperature change that is then amplified by changes in carbo dioxide concentration

question

To slow the current warming trend, industrialized nations must reduce their overall rate of greenhouse gas emissions.

answer

True: Because of the long residence time of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the climate system is going to continue to warm due to past emissions. In order to slow down the rate of future warming, it is imperative that industrialized nations reduce the overall rate of greenhouse gas emissions.

Geology Final – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards