AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Energy Flow And The 10 Rule

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Energy Flow And The 10 Rule, 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: Calculate energy efficiency if 50 J is transferred from 500 J.

Answer: 10%. $\frac{50}{500} \times 100 = 10$% efficiency.

Flashcard 2: Which type of organism occupies multiple trophic levels?

Answer: Omnivores. They consume both plants and animals.

Flashcard 3: What is the typical shape of an energy pyramid?

Answer: Pyramid shape. Energy decreases at each ascending level.

Flashcard 4: What term describes the energy trapped by producers from sunlight?

Answer: Gross primary productivity. Total energy captured through photosynthesis.

Flashcard 5: Identify the trophic level of apex predators.

Answer: Top trophic level. Highest consumers in the food chain.

Flashcard 6: Identify the form of energy transfer that is not 100% efficient.

Answer: Trophic transfer. Energy decreases between feeding levels.

Flashcard 7: What is the role of decomposers in energy flow?

Answer: Decomposers break down dead matter and recycle nutrients. They return energy to the ecosystem base.

Flashcard 8: Which type of organism occupies multiple trophic levels?

Answer: Omnivores. They consume both plants and animals.

Flashcard 9: What type of pyramid shows the number of organisms in each trophic level?

Answer: Pyramid of numbers. Shows organism abundance at each level.

Flashcard 10: What term describes the 90% of energy not transferred to the next level?

Answer: Energy loss. Energy dissipated and unavailable for transfer.

Flashcard 11: Calculate the energy available at the fourth trophic level if 1000 J starts at the first.

Answer: 1 J. Three 10% transfers: $1000 \times 0.1^3 = 1$ J.

Flashcard 12: State the formula for energy transfer efficiency between trophic levels.

Answer: Efficiency = $\frac{\text{Energy to next level}}{\text{Energy from previous level}} \times 100$. Calculates percentage of energy passing between levels.

Flashcard 13: What is the relationship between biomass and energy in ecosystems?

Answer: Biomass decreases as energy decreases up the trophic levels. Less biomass supports higher trophic levels.

Flashcard 14: Identify the primary source of energy in most ecosystems.

Answer: The Sun. Solar radiation drives photosynthesis in producers.

Flashcard 15: Which trophic level do herbivores belong to?

Answer: Second trophic level. Primary consumers feed directly on producers.

Flashcard 16: Identify the unit commonly used to measure energy in ecosystems.

Answer: Joules (J). Standard unit for measuring energy transfer.

Flashcard 17: Determine the energy at the third trophic level if 1000 J is at the first.

Answer: 10 J. Two 10% transfers: $1000 \times 0.1 \times 0.1 = 10$ J.

Flashcard 18: Identify the term for organisms that consume producers.

Answer: Primary consumers. Herbivores that eat producers directly.

Flashcard 19: What is the 10% rule in energy transfer?

Answer: Only 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level. 90% is lost as heat during metabolic processes.

Flashcard 20: State the energy transfer efficiency if 10 J is gained from 100 J.

Answer: 10%. $\frac{10}{100} \times 100 = 10$% efficiency.

Flashcard 21: What trophic level are primary producers located at?

Answer: First trophic level. Producers form the base of energy pyramids.

Flashcard 22: Which law of thermodynamics explains energy loss as heat?

Answer: Second law of thermodynamics. States energy becomes less useful over time.

Flashcard 23: What is the effect of energy loss on ecosystem structure?

Answer: Fewer organisms at higher trophic levels. Energy constraints limit higher level populations.

Flashcard 24: Choose the correct term: Energy pyramids show energy flow in a(n)  .

Answer: ecosystem. Energy flows through interconnected communities.

Flashcard 25: Identify the type of organism at the base of an energy pyramid.

Answer: Producers. Autotrophs capture solar energy at the base.

Flashcard 26: Find total energy loss if 1000 J is at first level, reaching 10 J at third.

Answer: 990 J. Total lost: $1000 - 10 = 990$ J.

Flashcard 27: Identify the process by which producers capture solar energy.

Answer: Photosynthesis. Converts light energy into chemical energy.

Flashcard 28: What is the energy efficiency of a trophic level if 25 J is transferred from 250 J?

Answer: 10%. $\frac{25}{250} \times 100 = 10$% efficiency.

Flashcard 29: Which organisms decompose organic material and return nutrients to soil?

Answer: Decomposers. Bacteria and fungi recycle nutrients.

Flashcard 30: What is the energy available to herbivores from plants called?

Answer: Net primary productivity. Energy remaining after plant respiration.