AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Atmospheric Co2 And Particulates

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Atmospheric Co2 And Particulates, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What role do forests play in the carbon cycle?

Answer: Carbon sinks. Natural reservoirs that absorb and store atmospheric carbon.

Flashcard 2: Identify a method to measure atmospheric CO2 levels.

Answer: Infrared gas analyzers. Instruments that detect $CO_2$ absorption of infrared radiation.

Flashcard 3: What is the term for CO2 uptake by oceans and forests?

Answer: Carbon sequestration. Long-term storage of atmospheric carbon in natural reservoirs.

Flashcard 4: What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer: Warming of Earth due to trapped heat by greenhouse gases. $CO_2$ and other gases trap heat that would escape to space.

Flashcard 5: What is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide?

Answer: $CO_2$. One carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.

Flashcard 6: Identify one impact of climate change due to CO2.

Answer: Rising sea levels. Thermal expansion and ice melt from warming increase ocean levels.

Flashcard 7: What is the term for the measure of particulate concentration?

Answer: Air Quality Index (AQI). Scale that communicates daily air pollution levels to the public.

Flashcard 8: Which process removes CO2 from the atmosphere?

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert $CO_2$ and water into glucose using sunlight.

Flashcard 9: Which particulate size is most harmful to human health?

Answer: PM2.5. Smallest particles penetrate deepest into lungs and bloodstream.

Flashcard 10: What is the effect of CO2 on ocean chemistry?

Answer: Ocean acidification. Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.

Flashcard 11: What is one primary effect of increased atmospheric CO2?

Answer: Global warming. Enhanced greenhouse effect increases Earth's average temperature.

Flashcard 12: How do particulates affect climate?

Answer: By altering Earth's albedo. Reflective particles cool Earth; absorbing particles warm it.

Flashcard 13: Which process removes CO2 from the atmosphere?

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert $CO_2$ and water into glucose using sunlight.

Flashcard 14: What type of radiation does CO2 absorb?

Answer: Infrared radiation. $CO_2$ molecules vibrate when struck by heat radiation.

Flashcard 15: What is the main anthropogenic source of particulates?

Answer: Combustion of fossil fuels. Burning coal, oil, and gas releases fine particles into the air.

Flashcard 16: Identify a natural source of atmospheric CO2.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Magma releases $CO_2$ when erupted, contributing to natural emissions.

Flashcard 17: Which gas is a precursor to secondary particulates?

Answer: Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$). Reacts with moisture and other chemicals to form sulfate particles.

Flashcard 18: Identify a natural source of atmospheric CO2.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Magma releases $CO_2$ when erupted, contributing to natural emissions.

Flashcard 19: Which process releases CO2 during decomposition?

Answer: Respiration. Cellular process that breaks down organic matter, releasing $CO_2$.

Flashcard 20: What is the effect of particulates on human health?

Answer: Lung disease. Fine particles penetrate airways, causing asthma and heart disease.

Flashcard 21: What is the effect of CO2 on ocean chemistry?

Answer: Ocean acidification. Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, lowering ocean pH.

Flashcard 22: Name a method to reduce atmospheric CO2.

Answer: Reforestation. Trees absorb $CO_2$ during photosynthesis, storing carbon in biomass.

Flashcard 23: Which human activity is a major source of CO2?

Answer: Deforestation. Clearing forests releases stored carbon and reduces $CO_2$ uptake.

Flashcard 24: Which international agreement aims to reduce CO2 emissions?

Answer: Paris Agreement. Global treaty to limit warming to well below 2°C.

Flashcard 25: Identify one effect of particulate pollution on visibility.

Answer: Haze formation. Particles scatter light, reducing visibility and creating smog.

Flashcard 26: What is the main anthropogenic source of particulates?

Answer: Combustion of fossil fuels. Burning coal, oil, and gas releases fine particles into the air.

Flashcard 27: What is the role of oceans in the carbon cycle?

Answer: Absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Ocean waters dissolve atmospheric $CO_2$, acting as a carbon reservoir.

Flashcard 28: Identify a gas that forms acid rain and particulates.

Answer: Nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$). Reacts with water to form nitric acid and secondary particles.

Flashcard 29: Name one natural process that releases particulates.

Answer: Dust storms. Wind erosion lifts soil and sand particles into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 30: What is the main source of black carbon?

Answer: Diesel engines. Heavy-duty vehicles produce most black carbon emissions.

Flashcard 31: What is black carbon?

Answer: Soot from incomplete combustion. Dark particles that absorb heat and contribute to warming.

Flashcard 32: Identify one effect of particulate pollution on visibility.

Answer: Haze formation. Particles scatter light, reducing visibility and creating smog.

Flashcard 33: Which process releases CO2 during decomposition?

Answer: Respiration. Cellular process that breaks down organic matter, releasing $CO_2$.

Flashcard 34: What is the primary source of atmospheric CO2?

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas combustion releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 35: What is a secondary particulate?

Answer: Particles formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Forms when gases like $SO_2$ and $NO_x$ react with other compounds.

Flashcard 36: What is the primary source of atmospheric CO2?

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas combustion releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 37: Which human activity is a major source of CO2?

Answer: Deforestation. Clearing forests releases stored carbon and reduces $CO_2$ uptake.

Flashcard 38: How do particulates affect climate?

Answer: By altering Earth's albedo. Reflective particles cool Earth; absorbing particles warm it.

Flashcard 39: Define 'particulate matter'.

Answer: Tiny solid or liquid particles in the air. Also called aerosols, they scatter light and affect air quality.

Flashcard 40: What is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide?

Answer: $CO_2$. One carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.

Flashcard 41: Which gas is a greenhouse gas besides CO2?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Potent greenhouse gas with higher warming potential than $CO_2$.

Flashcard 42: What is the effect of particulates on human health?

Answer: Lung disease. Fine particles penetrate airways, causing asthma and heart disease.

Flashcard 43: What is the effect of increased CO2 on plant growth?

Answer: Enhanced growth. $CO_2$ fertilization effect increases photosynthesis rates.

Flashcard 44: Which international agreement aims to reduce CO2 emissions?

Answer: Paris Agreement. Global treaty to limit warming to well below 2°C.

Flashcard 45: Name a technological solution to reduce CO2 emissions.

Answer: Carbon capture and storage. Technology that captures and stores $CO_2$ before atmospheric release.

Flashcard 46: Name one natural process that releases particulates.

Answer: Dust storms. Wind erosion lifts soil and sand particles into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 47: Define 'particulate matter'.

Answer: Tiny solid or liquid particles in the air. Also called aerosols, they scatter light and affect air quality.

Flashcard 48: Which law limits particulate emissions in the US?

Answer: Clean Air Act. Federal legislation regulating air pollutants including particulates.

Flashcard 49: Which gas is a precursor to secondary particulates?

Answer: Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$). Reacts with moisture and other chemicals to form sulfate particles.

Flashcard 50: What is the main source of black carbon?

Answer: Diesel engines. Heavy-duty vehicles produce most black carbon emissions.

Flashcard 51: How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer: Through photosynthesis and respiration. They absorb $CO_2$ during photosynthesis and release it during respiration.

Flashcard 52: How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

Answer: Through photosynthesis and respiration. They absorb $CO_2$ during photosynthesis and release it during respiration.

Flashcard 53: What is the role of oceans in the carbon cycle?

Answer: Absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Ocean waters dissolve atmospheric $CO_2$, acting as a carbon reservoir.

Flashcard 54: What role do forests play in the carbon cycle?

Answer: Carbon sinks. Natural reservoirs that absorb and store atmospheric carbon.

Flashcard 55: Which particulate size is most harmful to human health?

Answer: PM2.5. Smallest particles penetrate deepest into lungs and bloodstream.

Flashcard 56: What is the term for the measure of particulate concentration?

Answer: Air Quality Index (AQI). Scale that communicates daily air pollution levels to the public.

Flashcard 57: How do aerosols affect cloud formation?

Answer: Act as cloud condensation nuclei. Particles provide surfaces where water vapor condenses into droplets.

Flashcard 58: What does PM2.5 refer to?

Answer: Particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. Fine particles that penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream.

Flashcard 59: What is a secondary particulate?

Answer: Particles formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Forms when gases like $SO_2$ and $NO_x$ react with other compounds.

Flashcard 60: Name a method to reduce atmospheric CO2.

Answer: Reforestation. Trees absorb $CO_2$ during photosynthesis, storing carbon in biomass.

Flashcard 61: What type of radiation does CO2 absorb?

Answer: Infrared radiation. $CO_2$ molecules vibrate when struck by heat radiation.

Flashcard 62: Identify a method to measure atmospheric CO2 levels.

Answer: Infrared gas analyzers. Instruments that detect $CO_2$ absorption of infrared radiation.

Flashcard 63: Name a technological solution to reduce CO2 emissions.

Answer: Carbon capture and storage. Technology that captures and stores $CO_2$ before atmospheric release.

Flashcard 64: What is the term for CO2 uptake by oceans and forests?

Answer: Carbon sequestration. Long-term storage of atmospheric carbon in natural reservoirs.

Flashcard 65: What does PM2.5 refer to?

Answer: Particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers. Fine particles that penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream.

Flashcard 66: How do aerosols affect cloud formation?

Answer: Act as cloud condensation nuclei. Particles provide surfaces where water vapor condenses into droplets.

Flashcard 67: What is black carbon?

Answer: Soot from incomplete combustion. Dark particles that absorb heat and contribute to warming.

Flashcard 68: What is the effect of increased CO2 on plant growth?

Answer: Enhanced growth. $CO_2$ fertilization effect increases photosynthesis rates.

Flashcard 69: Identify a gas that forms acid rain and particulates.

Answer: Nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$). Reacts with water to form nitric acid and secondary particles.

Flashcard 70: Identify one impact of climate change due to CO2.

Answer: Rising sea levels. Thermal expansion and ice melt from warming increase ocean levels.

Flashcard 71: What is one primary effect of increased atmospheric CO2?

Answer: Global warming. Enhanced greenhouse effect increases Earth's average temperature.