AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AP TEST REVIEW QUESTION WITH 100 % CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED

Ionizing radiation - enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms, forming ions; capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays, UV) High Quality Energy - organized & concentrated; can perform useful work (fossil fuel & nuclear) Low Quality Energy - disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air wind, solar) First Law of Thermodynamics - energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another (Law of Conservation of Energy) Second Law of Thermodynamics - when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy, usually heat Natural radioactive decay - unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles Half-life - the time it takes for ½ the mass of a radioisotope to decay Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe level - approximately 10 half-lives Nuclear Fission - nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons Nuclear Fusion - two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus (He). Process is expensive; break-even point not reached yet Ore - a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mineOrganic fertilizer - slow-acting & long-lasting because the organic remains need time to be decomposed Best solutions to energy shortage - conservation, increase efficiency, explore alternative energy options Surface mining - cheaper and can remove more minerals; less hazardous to workers