Chapter 2: Science, Matter, Energy and Systems /
A Comprehensive Review /
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE /
10/17/2014 /
Summary
Chapter 2 is a review of general science concepts. It covers topics such as atoms and molecules from chemistry, cells from biology and energy topics from physics. Positive and negative feedback loops are addressed, which are important for you to understand.
Things to Consider
Earth is a single interconnected system
- The activities of humans, the lives of other organisms, and processes in the environment are all interconnected.
All environmental systems consist of matter
- All matter is composed of atoms.
- The three types of chemical bonds are covalent, ionic, and hydrogen.
- Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids are the basis of biological molecules.
Matching
Complete the attached matching section, labeled “Matching 1.”
Energy is a fundamental component of environmental systems.
- Earth’s systems cannot function and organisms cannot survive without energy.
- Just as matter can neither be created nor destroyed, energy is neither created nor destroyed.
- When energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes.
Matching
Complete the attached matching section, labeled “Matching 2.”
Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
- Individual organisms rely on a continuous input of energy in order to survive, grow and reproduce.
Systems analysis shows how much matter and energy flow in the environment.
- Environmental scientists look at the whole picture, not just the individual parts of a system, in order to understand how that system works.
- A positive feedback loop amplifies changes, whereas a negative feedback resists changes.
Matching
Complete the attached matching section, labeled “Matching 3.”
Natural systems change across space and over time.
- Differences in environmental conditions affect what grows or lives in an area.
- Natural systems are affected by the passage of time.
Short Answer
- Distinguish between a physical change and a chemical change and give an example of each.
- Explain the differences among radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
- What is the law of conservation of matter and why is it important?
- Explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics and why they are important.
- If a substance has a pH of 3, how many more times acidic is it than a substance with a pH of 5?
- Give an example of potential energy and of kinetic energy.
- A family is looking to see how much of their electricity bill is coming from their clothes washer and dryer. The washer uses 1500 watts and the dryer uses 2000 watts and the family pays $0.10 per kilowatt-hour. Each appliance runs approximately 30 minutes each day. How much does the family spend per week to run both of these appliances?