Copy of APES Chapter 2 reading guide
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Geography
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Dec 6, 2023
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1Answer the following questions using Chapter 2 as a resource:
1.
Read and briefly summarize the case study “A Lake of Salt Water, Dust Storms
and Endangered Species” on pages 33-34.
Mono Lake in California is a terminal lake which water flows into but does not flow out. It picks
up salt and other minerals as it flows through and then deposits into the alek. As water
evaporates, salt is left behind making it more saltier than the ocean so very few species can
survive in this lake. Two species that can survive are brine shrimp and larvae of alkali fly. Birds
depend on these two species as it is an oasis on the migration route. In 1913, LA made a plan
to redirect water away from Mono Lake and Owens Lake. Owens soon started to dry
up and by
1930’s only salt remained. It is one of the nation's largest sources of windblown dust now which
leads to a lower visibility. This dust is also arsenic causing a threat to human health. In 1941,
they started drawing water from streams into mono lake but despite efforts, in 1982 the depth
had decreased by half to avg of 14m, killing algae which species ate to survive. Thankfully , in
1994, LA decided to reduce the amount of water diverted to allow the lake to refill to at least
⅔
of historical depth. In 2009, it had reached the goal.
2.
What is radioactive decay?
Spontaneous release of material from the nucleus of radioactive isotopes.
3.
After one half life, what percent of the original quantity remains radioactive?
50%
4.
What does the pH scale measure?
Define each as acid, base or neutral:
Salt Water pH 8.2
base
Carbonic Acid pH 3.4
acid
Distilled Water 7.0
neutral
5.
How much more acidic is a compound with a pH of 3 than a compound with a pH
of 6?
3 more
6.
Review and take notes on the following
●
1st Law of Thermodynamics
Energy is neither created or destroyed but it can change from one form to another
●
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
When energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work
diminishes
●
Energy Efficiency
Ratio of the amount of energy expanded in the desired form to the total amount of energy that is
introduced into the system
Whenever one form of energy is transformed into another, some of that energy is converted into
a less usable form of energy, such as heat.
●
Forms of Energy (potential and kinetic)
Potential:
Kinetic:
●
Electromagnetic Spectrum
7.
What is the difference between an open and closed system?
Open: system in which exchanges of matter or energy occur across system boundaries
Closed: system in which matter and energy exchanges do not occur across boundaries
8.
What is a positive feedback loop?
Positive: a feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified
9.
What is a negative feedback loop?
Negative: a feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original
state or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring
10.
Identify each of these as positive or negative feedback loops:
a.
Rising global temperatures cause permafrost to melt → Melting
permafrost releases methane → Methane leads to a thicker
greenhouse gas layer → Global temperatures rise
Negative
b.
A student fails an exam → Class grade drops
→ Student does
test corrections and studies → Student does well on an exam →
class grade increases
Positive
There are three math examples in this chapter - pages 47, 49 & 52.
Review these
problems and then answer these problems:
Your electricity bill shows that you use 1000 kWh/month. Your refrigerator is 20 years old
and could account for up to 25% of that consumption. Newer appliances are more
efficient and conserve both electricity and money.
1.
Your current fridge uses 500 watts of electricity when the motor is running, which
is about 50% of the time. How much electricity does your fridge use in a year?
2190 kwh a year
Your current fridge uses 500 watts of electricity when the motor is running, which is
about 50% of the time. The most efficient fridge that you could buy uses only 275 watts
of electricity and still operates only 50% of the time.
2.
How much electricity would you save in a year if you bought this newer, more
efficient model?
1204.5 kwh a year
2190-1204.5=
985.5 kwh
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