Enviromental Science

Question 0

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Answer 0

Climate is the average weather conditions in a particular area, where as weather is the conditions at any one given time.

Question 1

Define the term weather

Answer 1

The conditions of temperature, air pressure, cloud cover, precipitation, and humidity that occur at a particular place at a particular time.

Question 2

What are the three components that make up the biosphere?

Answer 2

1. The Hydrosphere
2. The Lithosphere
3. The Atmosphere

Question 3

How far up from the Earth’s surface does the atmosphere reach?

Answer 3

Around 500km above sea level

Question 4

The atmosphere is made up of 21% of which gas?

Answer 4

Oxygen

Question 5

What are the four layers of the Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 5

1. The Troposphere
2. The Stratosphere
3. The Mesosphere
4. The Thermosphere

Question 6

Where is the Troposphere located?

Answer 6

In the Atmosphere, around 0-10km above sea level

Question 7

The ozone layer is located in which part of the atmosphere?

Answer 7

In the stratosphere, about 10-50km above sea level

Question 8

The lithosphere is the solid portion of Earth right above…

a. sea level
b. the Earth’s crust
c. the centre of the Earth
d. the upper mantle

Answer 8

d. the upper mantle

Question 9

What percent of Earth’s water is salt water?

Answer 9

97% of all Earth’s water is found in the oceans.

Question 10

What is the hydrosphere?

Answer 10

The hydrosphere accounts for all water on Earth.

Question 11

Define the term altitide

Answer 11

The distance above the Earth’s surface, measured from the upper surface of the oceans

Question 12

What is it called when a reversal of normal temperatures in the troposphere occurs?

Answer 12

An inversion

Question 13

What is an adaptation?

Answer 13

Any change in the structure or functioning of an organism that makes it more suited to it’s environment

Question 14

What is the term that describes the reflectivity of a surface?

Answer 14

The albedo

Question 15

What part of the hydrosphere contains water frozen in ice caps, permafrost, snow and glaciers?

Answer 15

The cryosphere

Question 16

The hydrologic cycle is the______ and _______ of the Earth’s water

Answer 16

1. Evaporation

2. Condensation

Question 17

What are the three major climate zones?

Answer 17

1. The polar zone
2. The temperate zone
3. The tropical zone

Question 18

What is anecdotal evidence?

Answer 18

Evidence that relies on reports from people about certain events and their interpretation of these events

Question 19

Long-term general weather trends in a certain geographic region is known as the area’s ________.

Answer 19

Climate

Question 20

What is the difference between a closed system and an isolated system?

Answer 20

A closed system exchanges energy with the surroundings, but an isolated system does not exchange either energy or matter with the surroundings

Question 21

What is the purpose of the Montreal Protocol?

Answer 21

To phase out the production and use of CFCs

Question 22

What are CFCs?

Answer 22

CFC is short for chlorofluorocarbons. They were invented in 1946 to replace flammable and toxic compounds used in industry.

Question 23

What does UNFCCC stand for?

Answer 23

The UNFCCC is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and is an agreement between nations to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 24

What are the four main greenhouse gases?

Answer 24

1. Water vapour 2. Carbon dioxide 3. Methane 4. Nitrous oxide

Question 25

Which of the four main greenhouse gases has a GWP of 23?

Answer 25

Methane

Question 26

What system is used to measure the ability of gases to trap thermal energy?

Answer 26

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) system.

Question 27

Over the last 200 years, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by _______.

Answer 27

32%

Question 28

Define the term carbon sink

Answer 28

Any process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as photosynthesis.

Question 29

Which two greenhouse gases does burning fossil fuels produce?

Answer 29

1. Carbon dioxide | 2. Nitrous oxide

Question 30

What are halocarbons?

Answer 30

Human-made chemical that can absorb significant amounts of thermal energy

Question 31

What is it called when the net radiation budget of the Earth changes due to greenhouse gases?

Answer 31

It is known as the enhanced greenhouse effect

Question 32

In 2001, Canada contributed to what percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer 32

1.8%

Question 33

What is the IPCC?

Answer 33

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assesses information related to climate change.

Question 34

The IPCC was created by which international group of scientist?

Answer 34

The World Meteorologist Organization (WMO)

Question 35

What year was the Kyoto Protocol signed?

Answer 35

1998

Question 36

What is the main objective of the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer 36

To reduce greenhouse gases

Question 37

What are Emission-reduction credits?

Answer 37

A feature of the Kyoto Protocol. Credits are given to countries for actions that contribute to the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 38

What is one possible way scientists are looking at removing carbon dioxide from the air?

Answer 38

Carbon dioxide sequestering.

Question 39

What are halocarbons used for?

Answer 39

They are used as a coolant in air conditioners and refrigerators

Question 40

How do you find net radiation budget?

Answer 40

Net radiation = incoming radiation - outgoing radiation

Question 41

Name three ways in which Canadian homes are specially suited for cold climates

Answer 41

Possible answers; 1. They have some sort of heating device 2. They are well insulated 3. Windows are generally smaller and east-facing 4. Doors and windows are tightly sealed 5. Roofs are stronger to withstand heavy snowfall