ENV 101 Exam 1 V3 | ENV 101
Environmental Science | StraighterLine |
Q&A with Rationale (StraighterLine
ENV101 Exam 1)
1. Which of the following terms describes the cumulative area of land and water needed to
provide resources and waste disposal for a person or population?
A. Carrying capacity
B. Biocapacity
C. Sustainable yield
D. Ecological footprint
Answer: D
Rationale: The ecological footprint measures the human demand on nature by calculating
the area of biologically productive land and water required to sustain a particular
consumption pattern. This concept helps scientists determine if a population is living
within the means of its environment. It is a critical metric for assessing global sustainability
and resource overconsumption.
2. In the scientific method, what is a tentative explanation that can be tested by further
investigation?
A. Scientific law
,B. Observation
C. Theory
D. Hypothesis
Answer: D
Rationale: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested
through experimentation or observation. It must be phrased in a way that is falsifiable,
meaning it can be proven wrong. Scientists use hypotheses to guide their research and
eventually build broader scientific theories.
3. Which philosophy of environmental ethics holds that the environment should be protected
for its own sake, regardless of its usefulness to humans?
A. Anthropocentrism
B. Conservationism
C. Ecocentrism
D. Biocentrism
Answer: C
Rationale: Ecocentrism is an environmental philosophy that places intrinsic value on all
living organisms and their natural environment. Unlike anthropocentrism, which
prioritizes human needs, ecocentrism views humans as part of a larger ecological web. This
, perspective advocates for the preservation of ecosystems for their inherent worth rather
than their utility.
4. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that:
A. Energy can be created but not destroyed
B. Entropy always increases in a closed system
C. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
D. Energy quality decreases as it flows through a system
Answer: C
Rationale: The First Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Law of Conservation of
Energy, establishes that the total energy in an isolated system remains constant. While
energy can change from one form to another, such as chemical energy to heat, it is never
lost from the universe. This principle is fundamental to understanding energy flow through
ecosystems and industrial processes.
5. Which type of feedback loop tends to stabilize a system by pushing it back toward its
original state?
A. Positive feedback loop
B. Exponential feedback loop
C. Negative feedback loop
D. Neutral feedback loop
Environmental Science | StraighterLine |
Q&A with Rationale (StraighterLine
ENV101 Exam 1)
1. Which of the following terms describes the cumulative area of land and water needed to
provide resources and waste disposal for a person or population?
A. Carrying capacity
B. Biocapacity
C. Sustainable yield
D. Ecological footprint
Answer: D
Rationale: The ecological footprint measures the human demand on nature by calculating
the area of biologically productive land and water required to sustain a particular
consumption pattern. This concept helps scientists determine if a population is living
within the means of its environment. It is a critical metric for assessing global sustainability
and resource overconsumption.
2. In the scientific method, what is a tentative explanation that can be tested by further
investigation?
A. Scientific law
,B. Observation
C. Theory
D. Hypothesis
Answer: D
Rationale: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested
through experimentation or observation. It must be phrased in a way that is falsifiable,
meaning it can be proven wrong. Scientists use hypotheses to guide their research and
eventually build broader scientific theories.
3. Which philosophy of environmental ethics holds that the environment should be protected
for its own sake, regardless of its usefulness to humans?
A. Anthropocentrism
B. Conservationism
C. Ecocentrism
D. Biocentrism
Answer: C
Rationale: Ecocentrism is an environmental philosophy that places intrinsic value on all
living organisms and their natural environment. Unlike anthropocentrism, which
prioritizes human needs, ecocentrism views humans as part of a larger ecological web. This
, perspective advocates for the preservation of ecosystems for their inherent worth rather
than their utility.
4. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that:
A. Energy can be created but not destroyed
B. Entropy always increases in a closed system
C. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
D. Energy quality decreases as it flows through a system
Answer: C
Rationale: The First Law of Thermodynamics, also known as the Law of Conservation of
Energy, establishes that the total energy in an isolated system remains constant. While
energy can change from one form to another, such as chemical energy to heat, it is never
lost from the universe. This principle is fundamental to understanding energy flow through
ecosystems and industrial processes.
5. Which type of feedback loop tends to stabilize a system by pushing it back toward its
original state?
A. Positive feedback loop
B. Exponential feedback loop
C. Negative feedback loop
D. Neutral feedback loop
