Environmental Science Review Questions 2024

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What are non-renewable resources?

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Non-renewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished in a short period of time. Their formation takes millions to billions of years, making their use unsustainable. Examples include fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal.

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What is carbon-14 used for?

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Carbon-14 is used in radioactive dating to determine the age of organic materials. It is a radioactive isotope of carbon that decays over time, allowing scientists to estimate the time since the organism's death.

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Define greenhouse gas.

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A greenhouse gas is a gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits solar radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect. This process helps maintain the Earth's temperature at a livable level. Examples include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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What are renewable resources?

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Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished naturally over time. They include resources like solar energy, wind energy, and timber, which can be regenerated and are sustainable.

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What is global warming?

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Global warming refers to the long-term increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, leading to climate change.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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What is the greenhouse effect?

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The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This effect is essential for maintaining the Earth's temperature.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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What is sustainability?

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Sustainability is the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves using resources responsibly and maintaining ecological balance.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

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What are index fossils?

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Index fossils are fossils of organisms that were widespread but existed for a relatively short period of geological time. They are used to date and correlate the age of rock layers.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is the law of superposition?

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The law of superposition is a geological principle stating that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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What is the role of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in environmental science?

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Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are man-made compounds that deplete the ozone layer, leading to increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface, which can cause health and environmental issues.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-3