Flashcards
APES Review
Cards in this deck (52)
- 1Many communities experience the tragedy of the commons. One way a local community might regulate a shared and limited resource and reduce the tragedy of the commons is to A) eliminate ownership of the resources and make them available to all B) reduce the cost of access to the resources C) offer subsides to users of the resources in the form of tax breaks D) divide the resources into parcels and assign them to individualsD) divide the resources into parcels and assign them to individuals
- 2A person’s ecological footprint is the total amount of land required to offset a person’s carbon emissions. The table below shows ecological footprint data for five different students. Each value is a measure of the number of hectares per land required. Which of the following is a limitation of using only the data in the table to complete an ecological footprint analysis of the different students? A The footprint for each individual is based on simple calculations to determine approximate resource use. B The footprint uses a top-down approach to provide a complete picture of resource use for comparison between individuals. C The footprint uses global hectares, rather than hectares, to determine the approximate proportion of Earth’s surface needed to support the activities of an individual. D The footprint is a static analysis and does not include all environmental impacts of an individual.D
The footprint is a static analysis and does not include all environmental impacts of an individual. - 3Which of the following best illustrates the concept of the tragedy of the commons? A Destruction of landscape by surfacing mining on private land B Selective harvesting of trees by a timber company in a national forest C Legislation of catch limits to avoid depletion of fish stocks in a shared lake D Inadvertent destruction of beneficial species while attempting to control pests E Depletion of an aquifer by regional farmersE
Depletion of an aquifer by regional farmers - 4One example of the tragedy of the commons occurs when trees are harvested from tropical rain forests without any regulations. Which of the following best describes why this is an example of the tragedy of the commons? A Tropical rain forests have a thin layer of decaying organic matter and relatively low nutrient levels slowing tree growth. B Trees are an important resource, but not all individuals can access the resource. C Timber producers remove as much timber as possible as cheaply as possible. D Tropical rain forests have the highest number of species per unit area, and trees are important for stability in the ecosystem.C
Timber producers remove as much timber as possible as cheaply as possible. - 5A sample of radioactive waste has a half-life of 10 years and an activity level of 2 curies. After how many years will the activity level of this sample be 0.25 curie? A 10 years B 20 years C 30 years D 40 years E 80 yearsC
30 years - 6Many environmentalists consider Egypt's Aswan High Dam on the Nile River to be an ecological disaster. Which of the following is the best evidence to support this viewpoint? A Creation of the dam flooded important archaeological sites. B Sardine populations near the Nile delta increased exponentially as a result of decreased annual rates of water flow. C The Aswan High Dam supplies one-third of the electrical power used in Egypt. D Some countries upstream from the dam have diverted Nile River water for their own projects. E Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam.E
Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam. - 7Directions: The following question(s) refer to the graph below showing the percent contribution of major fuel sources that have supplied energy for the United States for the past 150 years. The category labeled “Other” includes nuclear power, hydroelectricity, solar and wind power, and other alternative sources of energy. Nuclear power is a component of the line labeled “Other” in the graph. Why is it impossible for nuclear energy to completely replace oil and gas in the future? A Nuclear power is unacceptable to the public, so they will not allow it. B At the current rate of consumption, there is only enough uranium to last for fifteen more years. C Nuclear power can supply electricity, but it cannot replace other uses of oil and gas. D Nuclear energy is too costly for general use. E Nuclear waste contributes more to global climate change than do oil and gas.C
Nuclear power can supply electricity, but it cannot replace other uses of oil and gas.
- 8Directions: The following question(s) refer to the graph below showing the percent contribution of major fuel sources that have supplied energy for the United States for the past 150 years. The category labeled “Other” includes nuclear power, hydroelectricity, solar and wind power, and other alternative sources of energy. The primary cause for the decline in the use of wood as a fuel in the eighteen hundreds was the A discovery of major oil fields in the Middle East B lowering of per capita energy consumption C reduced wood availability resulting from widespread deforestation D global rise in temperatures during the 1800s E lower energy density of coal as compared to woodC
reduced wood availability resulting from widespread deforestation - 9A new 450-unit housing development will replace several small farms on the outskirts of Fremont. The development will be composed of 1/4-hectare lots with nearly identical footprints, as show below. One important step that homeowners in the new development can take to protect water quality in Samel Creek would be to A apply lawn fertilizers immediately before storm events B channelize Samel Creek to improve water flow during storm events C use only persistent organic pesticides to control weed species in their lawns D make certain that pet waste is disposed of directly into storm drains E use rain barrels to reduce the flow of storm water into the creekE
use rain barrels to reduce the flow of storm water into the creek
- 10The largest hydroelectric dam in the world is located on one of the world’s longest rivers in this area. A (A) B (B) C (C) D (D) E (E)E
(E) (Note: The Three Gorges Dam) - 11Uranium-235 has a half-life of 710 million years. If it is determined that a certain amount of stored U-235 will be considered safe only when its radioactivity has dropped to 0.10 percent of the original level, approximately how much time must the U-235 be stored securely to be safe? A 7.1 × 106 years B 7.1 × 107 years C 7.1 × 108 years D 7.1 × 109 years E 7.1 × 1010 yearsD
7.1 × 109 years - 12Which of the following is a true statement concerning the production of electricity in conventional nuclear power plants using fission reactors? A New nuclear power plants will be built without containment structures, due to the increased insulation in the reactor core. B Thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy and then to electrical energy, as in coal-burning power plants. C Regularly scheduled releases of radioactive gases during production are well below the maximum contamination levels set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). D Nuclear production of electricity is much less expensive per kilowatt-hour than production of electricity at a coal-burning or natural- gas-fueled power plant. E Storage of nuclear waste is no longer an issue, because power plants are now storing all wastes on-site in specialized containment units.B
Thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy and then to electrical energy, as in coal-burning power plants. - 13Which of the following countries has the largest coal reserves? A Saudi Arabia B China C India D France E JapanB
China - 14Which of the following has the largest proven coal reserves? A South America B The United States C Australia D Indonesia E AfricaB
The United States - 15For the diagram below, assume fracking has not been used with the oil and gas well. Rock layer that must be rich in organic matter that was subjected to heat and pressure over time during the formation of oil and natural gas. A A B B C C D DD
D
- 16Rock layer that must be porous and have enough permeability for fluid to move through the layer A A B B C C D DC
C - 17Rock layer that can be porous but must have very low to no permeability A A B B C C D DB
B - 18Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case. The following questions refer to the following: The town of Fremont Center shares its power plant with the towns of West Fremont and East Fremont. Information about the three towns is shown in the table below. The maximum capacity of the existing power plant is 2,000 MW. The number of years that the power plant will be capable of supplying all of the demand for energy in the three cities is nearest to A 0.5 years B 5 years C 15 years D 25 years E 70 yearsB
5 years
- 19Which of the following is most likely to reduce the United States contribution to the increase in concentration of atmospheric CO2? A Requiring all farming practices to be organic B Stopping logging in United States forests C Switching fuel use for residential heating from oil to coal D Switching from cars and trucks to rail for mass transit and freight movement E Preventing depletion of stratospheric ozoneB
Stopping logging in United States forests - 20Directions: The following question(s) refer to the graph below showing the percent contribution of major fuel sources that have supplied energy for the United States for the past 150 years. The category labeled “Other” includes nuclear power, hydroelectricity, solar and wind power, and other alternative sources of energy. In approximately what year did oil and gas become the dominant fuels for the United States? A 1880 B 1910 C 1940 D 1970 E 2000C
1940
- 21Which of the following best describes a benefit of increasing the number of offshore wind farms rather than onshore wind farms? A Offshore wind farms will consume less water during operation than wind farms on land because the turbines require less steam for electricity generation. B Offshore wind farms will decrease the maintenance costs associated with electricity generation because they are cheaper to operate than wind farms on land. C Offshore wind farms will emit less carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide than wind farms on land because they are farther from urban areas. D Offshore winds farms will produce up to three times as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore.D
Offshore winds farms will produce up to three times as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore. - 22Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of geothermal energy production? A Geothermal energy production is a significant source of noise pollution. B Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps. C Geothermal energy generation costs remain stable when gas and oil prices increase. D Geothermal energy is weather dependent and can be generated only at certain times of the year.B
Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps. - 23Which of the following best explains the process of electricity generation in a hydrogen fuel cell? A At the cathode, water reacts with oxygen to release hydrogen and heat. Electricity is generated as the bonds form between hydrogen and oxygen. The by-product of the reaction is heat. B At the cathode, hydrogen is reduced and then electrons flow to the anode to generate electricity. Oxygen is produced at the cathode. Oxygen and heat are the by-products of the reaction. C At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons flow in a circuit to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the hydrogen to produce water. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction. D At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons pass through an electrolyte to the cathode. There, the protons react with water to produce oxygen. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction.C
At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons flow in a circuit to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the hydrogen to produce water. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction. - 24Which of the following would be the best location for a wind farm with ten industrial turbines? A Adjacent to a wetland area with a large migratory avian population in the fall and spring B Scattered throughout a residential neighborhood where strong wind gusts are common C Just outside a town near a cave housing a large bat population D Arranged uniformly on a local farm that has fields and pastureland for dairy and grain productionD
Arranged uniformly on a local farm that has fields and pastureland for dairy and grain production - 25Some solar energy systems produce high-temperature water for industrial applications and produce steam to run turbines that generate electricity. What type of solar energy system is needed for these kinds of applications? A A flat-panel solar collector system B A solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight C A passive solar system that uses building design to block summer sunlight D A flat non-tracking array of photovoltaic panels E A passive solar system that uses building design to collect winter sunlightB
A solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight - 26Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they A use the heat from Earth’s interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity and then can be pumped back into the ground B can be built for use in any location where surface drilling is possible and construction of geothermal plants increases land stability C use the heat from Earth’s interior to directly heat buildings and houses and give off no greenhouse gasses D do not give off hazardous air pollutants into the atmosphere and require very little waterA
use the heat from Earth’s interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity and then can be pumped back into the ground - 27Which of the following energy sources is not derived directly or indirectly from solar energy? A Geothermal B Photovoltaic C Hydroelectric D Biomass E WindA
Geothermal - 28Which of the following is a reason why hybrid electric vehicles use less fossil fuel per mile traveled than a typical internal combustion engine vehicle uses? A Hybrid electric vehicles don’t burn fossil fuels; they run on electric energy. B Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by the Sun using rooftop photovoltaic panels. C When the brakes are applied in hybrid electric vehicles, kinetic energy is converted into electric energy to charge the batteries that assist the electric motor. D Batteries in hybrid electric vehicles can be charged in the driveway overnight, when rates for electricity usage are typically low. E The engines in hybrid electric vehicles are powered by biofuels made from genetically modified corn.C
When the brakes are applied in hybrid electric vehicles, kinetic energy is converted into electric energy to charge the batteries that assist the electric motor. - 29Which of the following is a true statement about passive solar heating? A It is effective only during the summer months. B It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect. C It is not used to heat commercial buildings. D It is not efficient because it cannot produce high-quality energy. E It produces more pollution than heating with an electric heat pump.B
It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect. - 30Which of the following is the best example of an energy storage element in a solar energy system? A The photovoltaic array in a solar electric system B The overhang that blocks sunlight in a passively cooled home C The insulated windows in a passively heated solar home D The sun-tracking mirrors in a power tower system E The hot water tank in a solar hot water systemE
The hot water tank in a solar hot water system - 31Which of the following is the most practical solution to maximizing energy production at wind farms while minimizing the risk to wildlife? A Turn on turbines only at night when most birds and bats are not flying. B Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration. C Turn on turbines only when winds are below 5mph. D Limit the height of turbines to 10 meters and the width of the blades to 5 meters.B
Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration. - 32Directions: The following questions(s) refer to the lettered areas of the map below. Area that exhibits island arcs A A B B C C D D E EE
E
- 33Area that exhibits a growing nonvolcanic mountain chain due to uplift A A B B C C D D E EC
C - 34Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the locations marked by letters on the world map below. Each set of lettered choices below refers to the numbered questions or statements immediately following it. Select the one lettered choice that best answers each question or best fits each statement and then fill in the corresponding oval on the answer sheet. A choice may be used once, more than once, or not at all in each set. The intraplate location where hot-spot volcanism is occurring A A B B C C D D E EA
A
- 35Which of the following laws gave the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from “cradle-to-grave”, including the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste? A Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) B Endangered Species Act (ESA) C Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) D National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) E Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)A
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - 36Acid deposition would most likely result in which of the following? A The release of aluminum ions from soil B An increase in populations of mollusks C The death of species tolerant of low pH levels D An increase in buffering of lake water by sulfates E An increase in the pH of unbuffered waterA
The release of aluminum ions from soil - 37Which latitude shown on the diagram above experiences 24 hours of daylight on December 21? A A B B C C D D E EE
E
- 38The three main anthropogenic sources of gaseous air pollutants in the United States are A soil erosion, volcanoes, and forest fires B soil erosion, volcanoes, and energy production C industry, construction, and agriculture D industry, transportation, and energy production E industry, transportation, and agricultureD
industry, transportation, and energy production - 39Which of the following is a biome found at 30° N and 30° S as seen in the diagram? A Rain forests B Tundras C Coniferous forests D DesertsD
Deserts
(Deserts form where dry air descends from the upper atmosphere, heating up as it does so.)
- 40Which type of electricity-generating power plant releases radioactive materials as well as toxic metals such as lead and arsenic under normal operating conditions? A Nuclear B Hydroelectric C Solar D Coal-burning E GeothermalD
Coal-burning - 41Most deserts on Earth are located near the 30° north and 30° south latitudes because humidity is lower at 30°. The best explanation for the lower humidity is that A warm air rises at 90° latitude, cools, and sinks at 30° B cool air rises at 30° latitude, warms, and sinks at the equator C warm air rises at the equator, cools, and sinks at 30° latitude D trade winds transfer moisture away from 30° latitude E rain-shadow effects are most pronounced at 30° latitudeC
warm air rises at the equator, cools, and sinks at 30° latitude - 42An engineer is assigned the task of reducing the air pollutants being released from a power plant that generates electricity by burning coal. The engineer performs a variety of computer simulations to determine which techniques and methods would be most effective at reducing air pollution generated by the plant. The air pollutant that computer simulations would likely show as being the most reduced by the installation of electrostatic precipitators in exhaust systems A Sulfur dioxide B Carbon dioxide C Carbon monoxide D Particulate matterD
Particulate matter
(Electrostatic precipitators use an electrical charge to make particles coalesce in exhaust so they can be mechanically removed. This reduces the amount of particulate matter in the air.) - 43Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following questions(s) refer to a pond in southern Canada. In 1950 the pH of the pond water was 8.2, but by 2000 the pH had decreased to 5.2. An effective short-term remediation strategy for the pond would be to A build taller smokestacks downwind from the pond B prevent fertilizer runoff from entering the pond C periodically stock the pond with brown trout D add calcium carbonate to the pond water E use tertiary wastewater-treatment protocolsD
add calcium carbonate to the pond water - 44Which of the following would be the most likely effect of acid deposition on a northern forest? A Decreased ability of trees to withstand cold weather B Decreased concentration of H+ ions in the soil C Decreased levels of light on the forest floor D Increased buffering capacity of the soil E Increased rates of photosynthesis in evergreen needlesA
Decreased ability of trees to withstand cold weather - 45Directions: Each set of lettered choices below refers to the numbered questions or statements immediately following it. Select the one lettered choice that best answers each question or best fits each statement. A choice may be used once, more than once, or not at all in each set. The following questions refer to the layers of Earth’s atmosphere in the temperature profile shown below. Region with the lowest atmospheric pressure A Troposphere B Stratosphere C Mesosphere D Thermosphere E ExosphereE
Exosphere
- 46The graph below depicts the various components of smog for a densely populated urban area in the Northern Hemisphere. Each plotted line (A, B, C, and D) is a different component of smog. Which of the different components of smog depicted in the graph are most likely released from automobile exhaust? A A and B B B and C C A, B, and C D B, C, and DA
A and B
(These two components (A, hydrocarbons and B, nitrogen oxide) peak midmorning when traffic is highest. Both of these components are released from automobile exhaust.)
- 47The following questions(s) refer to the diagram below, which depicts the concentrations of various gases in the air over a city on a typical smoggy day. If technology that reduces the hydrocarbon concentration had been utilized, which of the following would have been the most likely result? A The concentration of NO would have been higher. B The concentration of CO2 would have been lower. C The concentration of O3 would have been higher. D The concentration of O3 would have been lower. E The concentration of aldehydes would have been higher.D
The concentration of O3 would have been lower.
- 48The map reflects the difference in annual surface temperature from 2011 to 2017 in relation to 2000 to 2010. The scatterplot reflects the average change in surface temperature by latitude from 2011 to 2017 in relation to 2000 to 2010. Based on the data above, which of the following best supports the hypothesis that the Arctic (latitudes greater than 66°N) experienced accelerated warming compared to the rest of the planet from 2011 to 2017 ? A The smallest average surface-temperature change occurred at about −80° latitude in the Antarctic. B The largest areas with surface-temperature changes greater than a 4°C increase are found in the Arctic. C Northern Australia warmed more than the ocean off the west coast of Australia did. D The average surface-temperature change at the equator was about a 0.6°C increase.B
The largest areas with surface-temperature changes greater than a 4°C increase are found in the Arctic.
(The area in the Arctic with surface-temperature changes greater than 4°C is at least three times the size of areas with surface temperature changes greater than 4°C in all other latitudes combined.)
- 49Carbon dioxide and particulates are emitted by volcanoes. Particulates form stratospheric aerosols that reflect sunlight. Which of the following best describes the impact of atmospheric carbon dioxide and stratospheric aerosols? A Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, and aerosols cause cooling. B Both carbon dioxide and aerosols contribute to global warming. C Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, and aerosols have no effect on global climate. D Carbon dioxide reacts to form aerosols, leading to decreased global warming. E UV radiation causes carbon dioxide to break down, leading to increased stratospheric cooling.A
Carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, and aerosols cause cooling. - 50In the stratosphere, which of the following increases Earth’s albedo by reflecting solar energy back into space? A Carbon monoxide B Carbon dioxide C Nitrogen dioxide D Peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) E Sulfate aerosolsE
Sulfate aerosols - 51The polar regions radiate away more heat energy than they receive from the Sun in the course of a year. However, they are prevented from becoming progressively colder each year primarily by the A absorption of ultraviolet radiation by snow B transport of heat through the atmosphere and oceans C concentration of Earth's magnetic field lines at the poles D release of latent heat to the atmosphere when the polar ice caps melt E generation of heat by glacial movementB
transport of heat through the atmosphere and oceans - 52Which of the following will occur if the trend of global temperature increase continues? A Night temperatures will decrease as day temperatures increase. B Tropical areas will become cooler than they currently are. C Sea levels will drop due to increased evaporation. D The incidence of insect-borne diseases will decrease. E The troposphere will contain more water vapor.E
The troposphere will contain more water vapor.
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- AP environmental science questions put into flashcards
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