AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Energy Conservation

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Energy Conservation, 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: Identify the unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI).

Answer: Joule (J). Named after physicist James Prescott Joule.

Flashcard 2: Identify the energy transfer in a simple pendulum.

Answer: Potential energy to kinetic energy and vice versa. Maximum potential at highest point, maximum kinetic at lowest.

Flashcard 3: What is the purpose of energy audits in buildings?

Answer: To assess energy use and identify savings opportunities. Systematic evaluation reveals efficiency improvement opportunities.

Flashcard 4: Identify one method to improve energy efficiency in homes.

Answer: Installing energy-efficient appliances. Reduces energy waste and lowers utility bills.

Flashcard 5: What is the role of an inverter in solar power systems?

Answer: Converts DC to AC electricity. Essential for connecting solar panels to electrical grid.

Flashcard 6: Identify one method to improve energy efficiency in homes.

Answer: Installing energy-efficient appliances. Reduces energy waste and lowers utility bills.

Flashcard 7: State the law of conservation of energy.

Answer: Total energy of an isolated system is constant. Energy can change forms but total amount stays same.

Flashcard 8: Which law explains why perpetual motion machines are impossible?

Answer: The second law of thermodynamics. Entropy increase prevents 100% efficiency.

Flashcard 9: What is the purpose of energy audits in buildings?

Answer: To assess energy use and identify savings opportunities. Systematic evaluation reveals efficiency improvement opportunities.

Flashcard 10: What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Also known as conservation of energy principle.

Flashcard 11: Identify a major disadvantage of fossil fuels.

Answer: Environmental pollution. Releases harmful emissions and contributes to climate change.

Flashcard 12: What does the term 'energy conservation' mean?

Answer: Reducing energy use through efficient measures. Includes both efficiency improvements and behavioral changes.

Flashcard 13: What is the definition of energy efficiency?

Answer: Ratio of useful output energy to total input energy. Always less than 100% due to energy losses.

Flashcard 14: What is the role of an inverter in solar power systems?

Answer: Converts DC to AC electricity. Essential for connecting solar panels to electrical grid.

Flashcard 15: What is the primary environmental concern of nuclear energy?

Answer: Radioactive waste. Long-term storage and disposal challenges remain.

Flashcard 16: What is the main byproduct of burning fossil fuels?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

Flashcard 17: Which type of energy resource is biomass?

Answer: Renewable energy resource. Derived from organic materials like wood and crops.

Flashcard 18: Which energy source is known for having the highest energy density?

Answer: Nuclear energy. Small amounts produce enormous energy through fission.

Flashcard 19: What is the primary advantage of solar energy?

Answer: It is a clean and renewable energy source. No greenhouse gas emissions during operation.

Flashcard 20: State the formula for calculating power.

Answer: $P = \frac{W}{t}$. Power is the rate of energy transfer.

Flashcard 21: What is the definition of chemical energy?

Answer: Energy stored in chemical bonds of molecules. Released when bonds break during reactions.

Flashcard 22: Identify a major disadvantage of fossil fuels.

Answer: Environmental pollution. Releases harmful emissions and contributes to climate change.

Flashcard 23: What does the second law of thermodynamics state?

Answer: Entropy of an isolated system always increases. Systems naturally move toward greater disorder.

Flashcard 24: What does the term 'renewable energy' refer to?

Answer: Energy from sources that are naturally replenished. Examples include solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Flashcard 25: Which form of energy is associated with motion?

Answer: Kinetic energy. Energy of moving objects.

Flashcard 26: Identify a key benefit of using geothermal energy.

Answer: Low greenhouse gas emissions. Minimal carbon footprint and reliable baseload power.

Flashcard 27: State the formula for calculating kinetic energy.

Answer: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$. Where m is mass and v is velocity.

Flashcard 28: What is the primary source of energy for Earth's climate system?

Answer: The Sun. Drives weather patterns and photosynthesis.

Flashcard 29: What is the definition of thermal energy?

Answer: Total kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Related to temperature and molecular motion.

Flashcard 30: State the common unit used for measuring electricity consumption.

Answer: Kilowatt-hour (kWh). Equals 1000 watts used for one hour.

Flashcard 31: State the common unit used for measuring electricity consumption.

Answer: Kilowatt-hour (kWh). Equals 1000 watts used for one hour.

Flashcard 32: Identify one non-renewable energy source.

Answer: Coal. Fossil fuel formed from ancient plant matter.

Flashcard 33: What is the efficiency formula in energy terms?

Answer: $\text{Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Useful energy output}}{\text{Total energy input}} \times 100\%$. Measures how well energy is converted to useful work.

Flashcard 34: What is the definition of electrical energy?

Answer: Energy from the flow of electric charge. Energy carried by moving electrons in conductors.

Flashcard 35: What is the definition of chemical energy?

Answer: Energy stored in chemical bonds of molecules. Released when bonds break during reactions.

Flashcard 36: Which law explains why perpetual motion machines are impossible?

Answer: The second law of thermodynamics. Entropy increase prevents 100% efficiency.

Flashcard 37: Which type of energy resource is biomass?

Answer: Renewable energy resource. Derived from organic materials like wood and crops.

Flashcard 38: State the law of conservation of energy.

Answer: Total energy of an isolated system is constant. Energy can change forms but total amount stays same.

Flashcard 39: What is the first law of thermodynamics?

Answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Also known as conservation of energy principle.

Flashcard 40: What does the term 'renewable energy' refer to?

Answer: Energy from sources that are naturally replenished. Examples include solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Flashcard 41: What is the principle of conservation of mechanical energy?

Answer: Total mechanical energy remains constant if only conservative forces act. Energy transforms between kinetic and potential forms.

Flashcard 42: What is the primary environmental concern of nuclear energy?

Answer: Radioactive waste. Long-term storage and disposal challenges remain.

Flashcard 43: Which energy source relies on the Earth's internal heat?

Answer: Geothermal energy. Harnesses heat from Earth's core and mantle.

Flashcard 44: State the relationship between work and energy.

Answer: Work is the transfer of energy by a force. Work equals force times distance.

Flashcard 45: Which device is used to measure energy consumption?

Answer: Electricity meter. Records electrical energy usage in kilowatt-hours.

Flashcard 46: Identify a consequence of high energy consumption.

Answer: Increased greenhouse gas emissions. Higher demand increases fossil fuel combustion.

Flashcard 47: State the formula for gravitational potential energy.

Answer: $PE = mgh$. Where m is mass, g is gravity, h is height.

Flashcard 48: Identify a key benefit of using geothermal energy.

Answer: Low greenhouse gas emissions. Minimal carbon footprint and reliable baseload power.

Flashcard 49: Which form of energy is utilized in wind turbines?

Answer: Kinetic energy of wind. Moving air spins turbine blades to generate electricity.

Flashcard 50: Which device is used to measure energy consumption?

Answer: Electricity meter. Records electrical energy usage in kilowatt-hours.

Flashcard 51: State the formula for gravitational potential energy.

Answer: $PE = mgh$. Where m is mass, g is gravity, h is height.

Flashcard 52: Which energy source relies on the Earth's internal heat?

Answer: Geothermal energy. Harnesses heat from Earth's core and mantle.

Flashcard 53: Which form of energy is associated with motion?

Answer: Kinetic energy. Energy of moving objects.

Flashcard 54: Identify the energy transformation in a hydroelectric dam.

Answer: Potential energy to kinetic energy to electrical energy. Water falls, spins turbines, generates electricity.

Flashcard 55: What is the efficiency formula in energy terms?

Answer: $\text{Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Useful energy output}}{\text{Total energy input}} \times 100\%$. Measures how well energy is converted to useful work.

Flashcard 56: Identify the unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI).

Answer: Joule (J). Named after physicist James Prescott Joule.

Flashcard 57: Which form of energy is utilized in wind turbines?

Answer: Kinetic energy of wind. Moving air spins turbine blades to generate electricity.

Flashcard 58: What is the definition of potential energy?

Answer: Energy possessed by an object due to its position or condition. Stored energy ready to do work.

Flashcard 59: What is the formula for work done by a force?

Answer: $W = Fd \, \cos(\theta)$. Where F is force, d is distance, θ is angle.

Flashcard 60: What does the second law of thermodynamics state?

Answer: Entropy of an isolated system always increases. Systems naturally move toward greater disorder.