Natural Resources
What is a natural resource?
A. A product made in a factory
B. A material found in nature that humans use
C. A type of technology used to extract materials
D. A resource that can only be used once
B. A material found in nature that humans use
What is the primary importance of topsoil as a land resource?
A. It provides material for building foundations
B. It supplies nutrients needed for crop production
C. It is mined for valuable metals
D. It forms deep beneath Earth’s surface
B. It supplies nutrients needed for crop production
What is the main reason oxygen levels in Earth’s atmosphere increased over time?
A. Volcanic eruptions released oxygen
B. Gravity pulled oxygen from space
C. Early life-forms released oxygen during photosynthesis
D. Meteor impacts added oxygen
C. Early life-forms released oxygen during photosynthesis
Which of the following isn't a land resource?
A. Rivers
B. Trees
C. Silver
D. Soil
A. Rivers
Which of the following is an example of a renewable natural resource?
A. Coal
B. Oil
C. Wind
D. Natural gas
C. Wind
4. What does the term sustainable yield mean?
A. Using all available resources as quickly as possible
B. The maximum amount of a resource that can be used without replacing it
C. The amount of a resource that can be used without reducing its future availability
D. The total amount of a resource found on Earth
C. The amount of a resource that can be used without reducing its future availability
Which material is typically used in the construction of buildings, monuments, and countertops?
A. Topsoil
B. Aggregate
C. Bedrock
D. Humus
C. Bedrock
Which of the following is NOT part of the nitrogen cycle?
A. Plants
B. Photosynthesis
C. The atmosphere
D. Soil
B. Photosynthesis
Why are nitrogen-fixing bacteria important?
A.Plants and animals cannot use nitrogen directly from the atmosphere.
B.They are prey for larger animals.
C.They are part of photosynthesis.
D.They are part of the carbon cycle.
A.Plants and animals cannot use nitrogen directly from the atmosphere.
The largest component of the atmosphere is made up of
A. Oxygen
B. Carbon Dioxide
C. Nitrogen
D. Sulfur
C. Nitrogen
The distribution of Earth's Resources between nation states is generally
A. Evenly distributed
B. Found in greater amounts in countries along the equator
c. Found in greater amounts in countries in polar regions
D. Unevenly distributed
D. Unevenly distributed
Name 4 minerals that are considered ores.
Gold Tin
Silver Iron
Platinum Nickel
Copper Chromium
Movement of carbon from the atmosphere to the geosphere can be accomplished by
A. Combustion of fuels
B. Photosynthesis
C. Burial
D. All of the above
B. Photosynthesis
Which of the following gases interferes with oxygen transport in the blood?
A. Carbon Dioxide
B. Nitric Oxide
C. Carbon Monoxide
D. Sulfur Oxide
C. Carbon Monoxide
Define the Biosphere
all of Earth’s organisms and the environment in which they live
Explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Provide 1 example of each in your explanation
Renewable: solar, wind, hydro, etc.
Nonrenewable: gold, natural gas, diamonds
Renewable resources can be replaced naturally over time, while nonrenewable resources cannot
Aggregate is most commonly used for which purpose?
A. Growing crops
B. Producing fuel
C. Preventing erosion in deserts
D. Constructing roads and sidewalks
D. Constructing roads and sidewalks
Name the three natural sources of air pollution
1. Volcanic eruptions
2. Wildfires
3. Radon gas
Do U.S. states control all of the land in their territory?
Give 2 examples either way
No, they do not. Examples of federally controlled territories in U.S. states are national parks, military bases and wildlife refugees.
What is the origin of oxygen? Why is oxygen important to so many organisms on this Earth?
photosynthetic organisms 4 billion years ago released oxygen into the atmosphere via photosynthesis. This allowed for the formation of more complex organisms to form. Oxygen is the key element that is needed in cellular respiration, which is a life process that allows us humans to get energy to our cells.
Explain the correlation between a nation's GDP and its consumption of natural resources
Higher GDP = Higher Consumption
(Would like to note, this is not always true. Some are 100% renewable, including: Paraguay, Albania & Ethiopia).
Explain what desertification is, how it occurs, and how it can be prevented
Desertification is the loss of topsoil in arid or semiarid areas, whereby productive land becomes desert.
Desertification can occur from overgrazing or the removal of trees/shrubbery in the noted areas above.
It can be prevented by reducing overgrazing and planting trees/shrubs
How is the atmosphere a resource? (2 examples necessary)
Provides protection from UV radiation, contains Oxygen which we need to breathe, provides CO2 for plants which provide us with oxygen, wind can be used for renewable resources. Both nitrogen and carbon cycle use the atmosphere respectively.
Explain how acid rain is formed
Formed by the emissions of sulfur dioxides (& nitrogen oxides) that react with water, oxygen and other chemicals in the atmosphere which forms sulfur/nitric acids respectively. These acids mix with water vapor to form acid rain
In a closed system, if you burn wood and collect all smoke and ash, the mass of the products compared to the reactants will be:
A) Greater
B) Less
C) Exactly the same
D) Varying based on temperature
C) Exactly the same