Matter & Its Changes
What is an element?
A substance made of one type of atom.
Name the 3 parts of an atom.
Proton, neutron, electron.
What is a biotic factor?
A living part of an ecosystem.
Where is most of Earth's freshwater found?
In glaciers and ice caps.
Is solar energy renewable or nonrenewable?
Renewable.
What is the difference between a compound and a mixture?
Compounds are chemically combined; mixtures are not.
Where are electrons located in an atom?
In energy levels around the nucleus.
Name one example of a predator-prey relationship.
A lion and a zebra (predator: lion, prey: zebra).
What is a river basin?
An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.
Name one way humans can protect water quality.
Planting vegetation near waterways, reducing pollution, testing water.
Is boiling water a physical or chemical change?
Physical change.
What is the charge of a proton, neutron, and electron?
Proton (+), neutron (0), electron (−).
Define mutualism and give one example.
A relationship where both species benefit; ex: bees and flowers.
How do ocean currents affect climate?
They move warm and cold water, influencing weather and temperature.
What does pH measure in water quality testing?
How acidic or basic the water is.
List two clues a chemical change has occurred.
Color change, temperature change, gas production, new substance.
What do elements in the same group (column) have in common?
Same number of valence electrons and similar properties.
How does energy flow in a food web?
From producers to consumers to decomposers.
What is an estuary, and why is it important?
Where freshwater and saltwater meet; it supports diverse life.
What are two environmental consequences of using fossil fuels?
Air pollution and climate change.
Explain the Law of Conservation of Mass using a simple equation.
Mass of reactants = mass of products. Example: H2 + O2 → H2O.
What do periods (rows) on the Periodic Table represent?
The number of electron shells or energy levels/ increasing # of protons
What’s the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic? Give one example of each.
Epidemic = local outbreak (flu); Pandemic = global spread (COVID-19).
How does temperature and salinity affect ocean currents?
Cold, salty water sinks; warm, less salty water rises—this drives circulation.
How has human activity impacted global temperatures?
Increased greenhouse gases have raised global temperatures (global warming).