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Many Planets, One Earth
Atmosphere
Oceans
Ecosystems
Human Population Dynamics
100
Where did our solar system form from?
From a solar nebula.
100
What is the atmosphere ?
The atmosphere is a critical system that helps to regulate Earth's climate and distribute heat around the globe.
100
How much does the ocean cover our Earth ?
Oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth's surface, but many parts of the deep oceans have yet to be explored
100
In an ecosystem, the living parts are known as
Biotic
100
How did industrialization alter population growth rates so sharply?
One central factor was the mechanization of agriculture, which enabled societies to produce more food from available inputs
200
Why is Venus referred as our "sister" planet ?
Venus has nearly the same size and density as Earth and is only about 30 percent closer to the sun
200
What is the atmosphere composed of ?
The atmosphere is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, water vapor, and a number of trace gases
200
What causes waves and surface currents ?
Waves and surface currents are caused mainly by winds. When winds "pile up" water in the upper ocean, they create an area of high pressure and water flows from high to low pressure zones.
200
What are the most important factors in an ecosystem?
The most important factors are temperature ranges, moisture availability, light, and nutrient availability, which together determine what types of life are most likely to flourish in specific regions and what environmental challenges they will face
200
Why does population initially speeds up ?
Because death rates fall before birth rates, population growth initially speeds up (a phase sometimes referred to as the mortality transition), adding a large cohort of young people to society
300
How unique are the conditions that allowed life to develop and diversify on Earth?
no other planet in our solar system has developed along the same geologic and biologic path as Earth.
300
What are some major green house gases ?
Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
300
Why are ocean water the warmest in the tropics and coldest at the poles ?
Ocean waters are warmest in the tropics and coldest at the poles because the sun heats the equator more strongly than high latitudes
300
How do ecosystems maintain themselves ?
Ecosystems maintain themselves by cycling energy and nutrients obtained from external sources
300
What factors drive population growth rates?
One major indicator and determinant of demographic change is fertility, which demographers express as the total fertility rate, the number of births that can be expected to occur to a typical woman in a given society during her childbearing years
400
Why is Venus a runaway greenhouse?
Venus has no water on its surface, so it has no medium to dissolve CO2, form carbonic acid, and react with silicate rocks. As a result volcanism on Venus continues to emit CO2 without any carbon sink, so it accumulates in the atmosphere.
400
What is the difference between climate and weather ?
Climate refers to long-term weather trends and the range of variations that can be detected over decades in a specific region. Specific weather trends like annual snowfall may vary widely from one year to another
400
What is another name for " thermohaline circulation" ?
The thermohaline circulation is often referred to as the "global conveyor belt" because it moves large volumes of water along a course through the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
400
On average, about how much percent is passed onto the next level ?
On average about 10 percent of net energy production at one trophic level is passed on to the next level
400
What factors raise life expectancy?
depends on the satisfaction of many basic human needs such as adequate nutrition, clean water and sanitation, as well as access to medical services like vaccinations.
500
how do you organize a party in space?
you PLANET!
500
How are humans changing the planets radiactive balance?
By increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases through activities such as burning fossil fuels, humans are changing the planet's radiactive balance.
500
What is salinity ?
Salinity is the measure of all the salts dissolved in water. Salinity is usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt or )
500
How many trophic levels can an ecosystem support?
The answer depends on several factors, including the amount of energy entering the ecosystem, energy loss between trophic levels, and the form, structure, and physiology of organisms at each level
500
Why do economies tend to become more high-polluting ?
Economies tend to become more high-polluting during early stages of economic development because they first adapt inexpensive technologies that are relatively inefficient