Unit 2: Interactioms In The Physical Environment

Question 1

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

Answer 1

Earth’s outer shell is divided into large slabs of rocks called ‘plates’ that glide over the Earth’s mantle.

Question 2

What does the Continental Drift Theory state?

Answer 2

Continents move over time.

Question 3

What is convergent plate movement?

Answer 3

Plates move away from each other, causing both to get larger, commonly along mid-ocean ridges.

Question 4

What occurs at divergent plate boundaries when continental meets oceanic plates?

Answer 4

Oceanic rocks are denser, causing it to subduct under continental rocks.

Question 5

What happens during subduction?

Answer 5

Subducted plate goes into the Earth’s interior and is recycled.

Question 6

What is created when continental plates meet?

Answer 6

Rocks are forced upwards by immense pressure, creating most of the Earth’s mountain ranges.

Question 7

What characterizes transform boundaries?

Answer 7

Plates move roughly in parallel; they neither get larger nor smaller.

Question 8

True or False: Subduction can cause earthquakes.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

List the geologic eras from earliest to recent.

Answer 9

• Precambrian
• Paleozoic
• Mesozoic
• Cenozoic

Question 10

What percentage of Earth’s history does the Precambrian era represent?

Answer 10

88%

Question 11

What major geologic event occurred during the Paleozoic era?

Answer 11

Large areas of North America were covered by shallow seas and the Appalachians formed.

Question 12

What significant biological event happened during the Cenozoic era?

Answer 12

Humans develop and modern forms of life evolve.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The process of ice advancing and covering large areas of land is called _______.

Answer 13

[glaciation]

Question 14

What are the erosional effects of glaciation?

Answer 14

• Removal of materials
• Changes to drainage patterns

Question 15

What do sedimentary rocks form from?

Answer 15

Eroded rocks after millions of years of compaction and cementation.

Question 16

What characterizes metamorphic rocks?

Answer 16

High temperature/pressure can change rocks into ‘changed’ versions of sedimentary and igneous rocks.

Question 17

How do igneous rocks form?

Answer 17

When magma cools.

Question 18

What is the Canadian Shield?

Answer 18

Foundation of Canada; covers half of it and contains some of the world’s oldest rocks.

Question 19

True or False: The Hudson’s Bay - Arctic Lowlands is a flat, low-lying area with a harsh climate.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What factors contribute to climate as per the acronym LOWERN?

Answer 20

• Latitude
• Ocean Currents
• Wind and air masses
• Elevation
• Relief
• Near water

Question 21

Fill in the blank: Temperature gets cooler as you move further away from the _______.

Answer 21

[equator]

Question 22

What is the difference between climate and weather?

Answer 22

Climate refers to long-term weather patterns, while weather describes conditions at a given time.

Question 23

What is the effect of elevation on temperature?

Answer 23

Temperature increases as elevation does.

Question 24

How is total annual precipitation calculated?

Answer 24

Add all monthly precipitations.

Question 25

What human activities contribute to carbon dioxide emissions?

Answer 25

* Burning fossil fuels * Industrial emissions * Deforestation

Question 26

What is Direct Air Capture (DAC)?

Answer 26

A process that enables carbon removal and permanently stores them.

Question 27

What is mitigation in the context of climate change?

Answer 27

The act of reducing how harmful or bad something is by addressing the root of the problem.

Question 28

What is an example of adaptation in climate change?

Answer 28

Changing processes to suit different conditions, such as pouring water out of a boat.

Question 29

What is the role of ocean currents in climate?

Answer 29

Ocean currents affect temperature and weather patterns, particularly for locations near water bodies.

Question 30

What is the significance of the Western Cordillera?

Answer 30

It's the youngest mountain range in Canada, formed by the collision of the North American and Pacific plates.

Question 31

What are the three major mountain divisions of the Western Cordillera?

Answer 31

* Eastern Mountains * Interior Plateaus * Coast Mountains

Question 32

What is the primary function of a large fan in carbon capture technology?

Answer 32

It draws in air from the environment

Question 33

What does the filter in carbon capture technology remove from the air?

Answer 33

CO2

Question 34

What happens to the filter material after CO2 is captured?

Answer 34

It is heated to release captured CO2

Question 35

What are the two outcomes for CO2 after it is captured?

Answer 35

* Stored into other goods * Filtered air is released back into the atmosphere

Question 36

What does CCS stand for?

Answer 36

Carbon capture and storage

Question 37

What percentage of CO2 emissions can CCS capture?

Answer 37

At least 90%

Question 38

What are the three main steps involved in CCS?

Answer 38

* Capture * Transport * Store it underground

Question 39

What are greenhouse gases?

Answer 39

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Question 40

Name a human source of carbon dioxide.

Answer 40

Fossil fuel combustion

Question 41

Name a natural source of carbon dioxide.

Answer 41

Volcanic eruptions

Question 42

What is a human source of methane?

Answer 42

Agricultural practices

Question 43

What is a natural source of methane?

Answer 43

Wetlands

Question 44

What is a human source of nitrous oxide?

Answer 44

Fertilizer application

Question 45

What is a natural source of nitrous oxide?

Answer 45

Soil processes

Question 46

What is a human source of hydrofluorocarbons?

Answer 46

Refrigerants

Question 47

What is a natural source of hydrofluorocarbons?

Question 48

What is a human source of perfluorocarbons?

Answer 48

Industrial processes

Question 49

What is a natural source of perfluorocarbons?

Question 50

What does mitigation refer to in the context of climate change?

Answer 50

Efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases

Question 51

Provide an example of mitigation.

Answer 51

Renewable energy adoption

Question 52

What does adaptation refer to in the context of climate change?

Answer 52

Adjusting practices, processes, and structures to minimize damage from climate change

Question 53

Provide an example of adaptation.

Answer 53

Building flood defenses

Question 54

What characterizes tundra soils?

Answer 54

* Rocky and thin * Only the upper active layer defrosts during summer

Question 55

What are wet climate soils ideal for?

Answer 55

Agriculture

Question 56

What characterizes dry-climate soils?

Answer 56

Low precipitation prevents soil nutrients from washing away

Question 57

What influences the complex soils of mountain areas?

Answer 57

Elevation, relief, and climate patterns

Question 58

What are the soil horizons?

Answer 58

* O a layer of organic debris and loose leaves at the surface. Also known as humus * A topsoil ( the uppermost layer of spoil) * E ( eluviated) layerfound below the a or o horizon and above b horizon * B subsoil. Often a zone of accumulation for clay, iron, etc * C substratum. Above bedrock and made up of unconsolidated material. * R lowest layer of soil (bedrock)

Question 59

What is found in the O Horizon?

Answer 59

Humus

Question 60

What is the A Horizon also known as?

Answer 60

Topsoil

Question 61

What does the E Horizon contain?

Answer 61

Extras from topsoil, made of sands and silts

Question 62

What is the B Horizon characterized by?

Answer 62

Accumulation of leached minerals and nutrients

Question 63

What is the C Horizon?

Answer 63

Regolith, partially broken down parent material

Question 64

What is the R Horizon?

Answer 64

Bedrock unbroken parent material

Question 65

What characterizes the Boreal and Taiga Forest?

Answer 65

Largest vegetation region filled with coniferous forests

Question 66

Where are Grasslands typically found?

Answer 66

Southern prairies where it's too dry for trees

Question 67

What is unique about the Deciduous Forest?

Answer 67

Smallest vegetation region, located in Southwestern Ontario

Question 68

What is the Mixed Forest?

Answer 68

Transition zone between Boreal and Deciduous forests

Question 69

What defines Cordillera vegetation?

Answer 69

Varies due to differing climate and soil factors

Question 70

What characterizes the Tundra?

Answer 70

Cold and dry climate with low-growing plant species

Question 71

What defines the West-coast forest?

Answer 71

Large amounts of precipitation and warm temperatures

Question 72

How has vegetation changed in Canada?

Answer 72

Many areas are no longer covered by natural vegetation due to human activities

Question 73

What are coniferous trees?

Answer 73

Needle-leaved trees that adapt to colder/drier weathers

Question 74

Provide an example of a coniferous tree.

Answer 74

Pine tree

Question 75

What are deciduous trees?

Answer 75

Trees that drop leaves every year

Question 76

Provide an example of a deciduous tree.

Answer 76

Oak

Question 77

Where does Indigenous Knowledge come from?

Answer 77

Oral histories, hunting and fishing patterns, and long-term observations

Question 78

How will researchers gather data from Indigenous peoples?

Answer 78

Interviews with members that have direct experience with land use

Question 79

How does Indigenous Knowledge assist researchers?

Answer 79

Increases confidence in research findings and connects place names to climate change

Question 80

Glaciation depositional effects of ice

Answer 80

Creates till plains and moraines