Earth's Geography and Climate - AP Environmental Science
Card 1 of 30
What is the primary source of energy for the Earth's climate system?
What is the primary source of energy for the Earth's climate system?
Tap to reveal answer
The Sun. Provides 99.97% of Earth's energy through electromagnetic radiation.
The Sun. Provides 99.97% of Earth's energy through electromagnetic radiation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which current flows along the eastern coast of the United States?
Which current flows along the eastern coast of the United States?
Tap to reveal answer
The Gulf Stream. Warm Atlantic current moderating eastern US and European climates.
The Gulf Stream. Warm Atlantic current moderating eastern US and European climates.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes the gradual warming of Earth's surface?
What term describes the gradual warming of Earth's surface?
Tap to reveal answer
Global warming. Rising average temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
Global warming. Rising average temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What influences the global distribution of deserts?
What influences the global distribution of deserts?
Tap to reveal answer
High-pressure systems and descending dry air. Subtropical high-pressure zones create arid conditions around 30° latitude.
High-pressure systems and descending dry air. Subtropical high-pressure zones create arid conditions around 30° latitude.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the definition of the Coriolis Effect?
What is the definition of the Coriolis Effect?
Tap to reveal answer
The deflection of moving objects caused by Earth's rotation. Results from Earth's rotation deflecting moving air and water masses.
The deflection of moving objects caused by Earth's rotation. Results from Earth's rotation deflecting moving air and water masses.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the effect of volcanic eruptions on climate.
Identify the effect of volcanic eruptions on climate.
Tap to reveal answer
Temporary cooling due to aerosols reflecting sunlight. Ash and sulfur particles reflect incoming solar radiation back to space.
Temporary cooling due to aerosols reflecting sunlight. Ash and sulfur particles reflect incoming solar radiation back to space.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Define the term 'biome'.
Define the term 'biome'.
Tap to reveal answer
A large ecosystem characterized by specific climate and species. Defined by temperature, precipitation, and characteristic vegetation.
A large ecosystem characterized by specific climate and species. Defined by temperature, precipitation, and characteristic vegetation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which human activity is the largest source of methane emissions?
Which human activity is the largest source of methane emissions?
Tap to reveal answer
Agriculture, particularly rice paddies and livestock. Anaerobic decomposition in flooded fields and ruminant digestion.
Agriculture, particularly rice paddies and livestock. Anaerobic decomposition in flooded fields and ruminant digestion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the most significant human activity contributing to climate change.
Identify the most significant human activity contributing to climate change.
Tap to reveal answer
Burning fossil fuels. Releases stored carbon, increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
Burning fossil fuels. Releases stored carbon, increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a consequence of deforestation on climate?
What is a consequence of deforestation on climate?
Tap to reveal answer
Increased carbon dioxide levels and reduced rainfall. Trees absorb CO₂ and release water vapor through transpiration.
Increased carbon dioxide levels and reduced rainfall. Trees absorb CO₂ and release water vapor through transpiration.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main driver of ocean currents?
What is the main driver of ocean currents?
Tap to reveal answer
Wind patterns and differences in water density. Surface winds and density differences from temperature/salinity variations.
Wind patterns and differences in water density. Surface winds and density differences from temperature/salinity variations.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary consequence of the El Niño phenomenon?
What is the primary consequence of the El Niño phenomenon?
Tap to reveal answer
Disruption of weather patterns worldwide. Warm Pacific waters alter atmospheric circulation and precipitation patterns.
Disruption of weather patterns worldwide. Warm Pacific waters alter atmospheric circulation and precipitation patterns.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the primary cause of Earth's seasons.
Identify the primary cause of Earth's seasons.
Tap to reveal answer
The tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun. Earth's 23.5° axial tilt creates varying solar angles throughout the year.
The tilt of Earth's axis relative to its orbit around the Sun. Earth's 23.5° axial tilt creates varying solar angles throughout the year.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
State the primary cause of urban heat islands.
State the primary cause of urban heat islands.
Tap to reveal answer
Increased heat absorption due to concrete and asphalt. Dark surfaces absorb more heat than natural vegetation or soil.
Increased heat absorption due to concrete and asphalt. Dark surfaces absorb more heat than natural vegetation or soil.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What influences the global distribution of deserts?
What influences the global distribution of deserts?
Tap to reveal answer
High-pressure systems and descending dry air. Subtropical high-pressure zones create arid conditions around 30° latitude.
High-pressure systems and descending dry air. Subtropical high-pressure zones create arid conditions around 30° latitude.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Define the term 'permafrost'.
Define the term 'permafrost'.
Tap to reveal answer
Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. Forms in areas where summer thaw doesn't reach subsurface layers.
Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. Forms in areas where summer thaw doesn't reach subsurface layers.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Name the effect that causes Earth's winds to curve.
Name the effect that causes Earth's winds to curve.
Tap to reveal answer
The Coriolis Effect. Earth's rotation causes deflection of moving air masses.
The Coriolis Effect. Earth's rotation causes deflection of moving air masses.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary source of natural aerosols in the atmosphere?
What is the primary source of natural aerosols in the atmosphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Volcanic eruptions and sea spray. Natural particles suspended in atmosphere affect climate and visibility.
Volcanic eruptions and sea spray. Natural particles suspended in atmosphere affect climate and visibility.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process is responsible for the natural greenhouse effect?
Which process is responsible for the natural greenhouse effect?
Tap to reveal answer
Absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by gases. Gases trap outgoing heat while allowing incoming solar radiation through.
Absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by gases. Gases trap outgoing heat while allowing incoming solar radiation through.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which climate zone experiences the most precipitation?
Which climate zone experiences the most precipitation?
Tap to reveal answer
Tropical climate zone. Warm air near equator holds more moisture and rises frequently.
Tropical climate zone. Warm air near equator holds more moisture and rises frequently.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the type of biome characterized by high rainfall and biodiversity.
Identify the type of biome characterized by high rainfall and biodiversity.
Tap to reveal answer
Tropical rainforest. Warm, wet conditions near equator support maximum species diversity.
Tropical rainforest. Warm, wet conditions near equator support maximum species diversity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Name the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.
Name the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy.
Tap to reveal answer
Photosynthesis. Converts CO₂ and water into glucose using chlorophyll and sunlight.
Photosynthesis. Converts CO₂ and water into glucose using chlorophyll and sunlight.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main cause of acid rain?
What is the main cause of acid rain?
Tap to reveal answer
Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Industrial emissions form acids when combined with atmospheric water.
Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Industrial emissions form acids when combined with atmospheric water.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process describes the movement of water from the surface to the atmosphere?
Which process describes the movement of water from the surface to the atmosphere?
Tap to reveal answer
Evaporation. Phase change requiring energy input, cooling the surface below.
Evaporation. Phase change requiring energy input, cooling the surface below.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the main cause of sea level rise in recent decades.
Identify the main cause of sea level rise in recent decades.
Tap to reveal answer
Melting ice caps and thermal expansion of seawater. Warming causes ice volume loss and water molecules to expand.
Melting ice caps and thermal expansion of seawater. Warming causes ice volume loss and water molecules to expand.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Define 'weather'.
Define 'weather'.
Tap to reveal answer
The short-term state of the atmosphere in a specific place. Current atmospheric conditions, changes over hours to days.
The short-term state of the atmosphere in a specific place. Current atmospheric conditions, changes over hours to days.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the dominant wind pattern in the tropics called?
What is the dominant wind pattern in the tropics called?
Tap to reveal answer
Trade winds. Consistent easterly winds between 30°N and 30°S latitudes.
Trade winds. Consistent easterly winds between 30°N and 30°S latitudes.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary function of the thermohaline circulation?
What is the primary function of the thermohaline circulation?
Tap to reveal answer
Regulating global climate by ocean heat distribution. Deep ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity differences.
Regulating global climate by ocean heat distribution. Deep ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity differences.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Define 'climate change'.
Define 'climate change'.
Tap to reveal answer
Long-term alteration in temperature and typical weather patterns. Distinguishes from natural climate variability by human influence.
Long-term alteration in temperature and typical weather patterns. Distinguishes from natural climate variability by human influence.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the main factor that affects the speed of wind.
Identify the main factor that affects the speed of wind.
Tap to reveal answer
The pressure gradient force. Air moves from high to low pressure areas, creating wind velocity.
The pressure gradient force. Air moves from high to low pressure areas, creating wind velocity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →