Environmental Science 101 - Final Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
Thermodynamics Correct Answer-Study of energy and its
transformations
System Correct Answer-Consists of multiple interacting parts with
defined boundaries
Types of systems Correct Answer-Closed: isolated system that does not
exchange energy with its surroundings
Open: exchanges energy with surroundings
*All natural systems are open
Laws of Thermodynamics Correct Answer-1st Law: Energy is not
created nor destroyed but transformed (ex. potential to kinetic energy)
2nd Law: Energy becomes less useful over time. Energy will be lost
from the system (often as heat)
*Entropy: energy transformations increase disorder
Electromagnetic spectrum Correct Answer-the range of wavelengths or
frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends
Gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, and
radiowaves
, Heat can move in four ways Correct Answer-conduction, convection,
radiation, latent heat transfer
Composition of gases in the atmosphere Correct Answer-78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
.041% Carbon Dioxide
Solar Radiation Correct Answer-30% reflected to space
70% absorbed by land, sea, and air
Absorbed heat eventually radiated back to space as infrared radiation
(entropy)
Competitive exclusion principle Correct Answer-two species that
directly compete for resources cannot coexist
Interspecific competition Correct Answer-two or more species compete
for the same resource
Intraspecific competition Correct Answer-Two or more organisms of a
single species compete for the same resource
Trophic cascade Correct Answer-loss of carnivores results in explosion
of herbivores that destroy primary producers
with Correct Answers
Thermodynamics Correct Answer-Study of energy and its
transformations
System Correct Answer-Consists of multiple interacting parts with
defined boundaries
Types of systems Correct Answer-Closed: isolated system that does not
exchange energy with its surroundings
Open: exchanges energy with surroundings
*All natural systems are open
Laws of Thermodynamics Correct Answer-1st Law: Energy is not
created nor destroyed but transformed (ex. potential to kinetic energy)
2nd Law: Energy becomes less useful over time. Energy will be lost
from the system (often as heat)
*Entropy: energy transformations increase disorder
Electromagnetic spectrum Correct Answer-the range of wavelengths or
frequencies over which electromagnetic radiation extends
Gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, and
radiowaves
, Heat can move in four ways Correct Answer-conduction, convection,
radiation, latent heat transfer
Composition of gases in the atmosphere Correct Answer-78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
.041% Carbon Dioxide
Solar Radiation Correct Answer-30% reflected to space
70% absorbed by land, sea, and air
Absorbed heat eventually radiated back to space as infrared radiation
(entropy)
Competitive exclusion principle Correct Answer-two species that
directly compete for resources cannot coexist
Interspecific competition Correct Answer-two or more species compete
for the same resource
Intraspecific competition Correct Answer-Two or more organisms of a
single species compete for the same resource
Trophic cascade Correct Answer-loss of carnivores results in explosion
of herbivores that destroy primary producers
