AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Increases In Greenhouse Gases

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Increases In Greenhouse Gases, 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 is the chemical formula for carbon dioxide?

Answer: $CO_2$. Carbon dioxide consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.

Flashcard 2: Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas.

Flashcard 3: What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?

Answer: Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the atmosphere.

Flashcard 4: What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants absorb atmospheric $CO_2$ to produce glucose and oxygen.

Flashcard 5: What is the chemical formula for methane?

Answer: $CH_4$. Methane contains one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

Flashcard 6: Identify a technological solution to capture and store $CO_2$ emissions.

Answer: Carbon capture and storage. Technology captures $CO_2$ from emissions sources and stores it underground.

Flashcard 7: Which greenhouse gas is released from rice paddies?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic bacteria in flooded rice fields decompose organic matter, producing methane.

Flashcard 8: Which human activity is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?

Answer: Fertilizer application. Nitrogen fertilizers break down in soil, releasing $N_2O$ through bacterial processes.

Flashcard 9: What is the effect of $CO_2$ on ocean acidity?

Answer: Increases ocean acidity. Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, making oceans more acidic over time.

Flashcard 10: Which greenhouse gas is used in electrical insulation and has a high global warming potential?

Answer: Sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$). Used in electrical equipment, $SF_6$ has extremely high heat-trapping capacity.

Flashcard 11: Which sector is a major contributor to $CO_2$ emissions?

Answer: Transportation. Cars, trucks, ships, and planes burn fossil fuels, releasing substantial $CO_2$.

Flashcard 12: What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?

Answer: Trapping of heat by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the atmosphere.

Flashcard 13: What is the main anthropogenic source of atmospheric $CO_2$?

Answer: Fossil fuel combustion. Human burning of fossil fuels dominates global $CO_2$ emissions.

Flashcard 14: Which international agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Paris Agreement. International treaty commits countries to limit global warming to below 2°C.

Flashcard 15: Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential over 100 years?

Answer: Sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$). Though rare, $SF_6$ traps heat 23,500 times more effectively than $CO_2$.

Flashcard 16: Which international agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Paris Agreement. International treaty commits countries to limit global warming to below 2°C.

Flashcard 17: Which human activity is the largest contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Answer: Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas combustion releases the most anthropogenic $CO_2$ annually.

Flashcard 18: Which greenhouse gas is used in electrical insulation and has a high global warming potential?

Answer: Sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$). Used in electrical equipment, $SF_6$ has extremely high heat-trapping capacity.

Flashcard 19: Which gas is a significant component of smog and also acts as a greenhouse gas?

Answer: Ozone ($O_3$). Ground-level ozone forms from pollutants and acts as a potent greenhouse gas.

Flashcard 20: What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants absorb atmospheric $CO_2$ to produce glucose and oxygen.

Flashcard 21: Which greenhouse gas results from both natural and human sources like wetlands and fossil fuel extraction?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Wetlands produce methane naturally; humans add more through agriculture and energy.

Flashcard 22: Identify a consequence of melting polar ice caps due to global warming.

Answer: Sea level rise. Thermal expansion and glacial melting increase ocean volume and coastal flooding.

Flashcard 23: What is the chemical formula for methane?

Answer: $CH_4$. Methane contains one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

Flashcard 24: Identify a natural source of methane emissions.

Answer: Wetlands. Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and swamps naturally produce methane gas.

Flashcard 25: Which human activity is the largest contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide?

Answer: Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and gas combustion releases the most anthropogenic $CO_2$ annually.

Flashcard 26: Which greenhouse gas is primarily associated with aerosols?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs were commonly used as propellants in spray cans and foam products.

Flashcard 27: Identify one impact of increased greenhouse gases on global climate.

Answer: Global warming. Greenhouse gases trap heat, causing Earth's average temperature to rise.

Flashcard 28: State one method to mitigate increases in greenhouse gases.

Answer: Renewable energy use. Solar, wind, and hydropower replace fossil fuels, reducing $CO_2$ emissions.

Flashcard 29: Identify a consequence of melting polar ice caps due to global warming.

Answer: Sea level rise. Thermal expansion and glacial melting increase ocean volume and coastal flooding.

Flashcard 30: Identify a natural source of methane emissions.

Answer: Wetlands. Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and swamps naturally produce methane gas.

Flashcard 31: What term describes the trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases?

Answer: Greenhouse effect. Natural process where atmospheric gases trap heat to warm Earth's surface.

Flashcard 32: Which greenhouse gas is released from rice paddies?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic bacteria in flooded rice fields decompose organic matter, producing methane.

Flashcard 33: What is the primary source of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas?

Answer: Evaporation. Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Flashcard 34: State the effect of increased greenhouse gases on weather patterns.

Answer: More extreme weather events. Higher temperatures intensify storms, droughts, and precipitation patterns.

Flashcard 35: Which sector is a major contributor to $CO_2$ emissions?

Answer: Transportation. Cars, trucks, ships, and planes burn fossil fuels, releasing substantial $CO_2$.

Flashcard 36: What is the role of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: Trap heat and maintain temperature. Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to support most life.

Flashcard 37: Identify a major source of methane emissions.

Answer: Agriculture (e.g., livestock). Livestock digestion and manure decomposition release significant methane quantities.

Flashcard 38: What is the effect of $CO_2$ on ocean acidity?

Answer: Increases ocean acidity. Dissolved $CO_2$ forms carbonic acid, making oceans more acidic over time.

Flashcard 39: Identify the greenhouse gas released from the burning of coal.

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Coal combustion releases stored carbon as $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 40: State the effect of increased greenhouse gases on weather patterns.

Answer: More extreme weather events. Higher temperatures intensify storms, droughts, and precipitation patterns.

Flashcard 41: Which gas contributes to the greenhouse effect and is also a natural component of the atmosphere?

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). $CO_2$ occurs naturally through respiration but human activities increase concentrations.

Flashcard 42: Identify the process by which plants convert $CO_2$ and sunlight into energy.

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants use $CO_2$, water, and sunlight to create glucose and release oxygen.

Flashcard 43: Identify the greenhouse gas released from the burning of coal.

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Coal combustion releases stored carbon as $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 44: What is the relationship between deforestation and $CO_2$ levels?

Answer: Increases $CO_2$ levels. Fewer trees mean less $CO_2$ absorption and more carbon released from soil.

Flashcard 45: Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Anaerobic decomposition of organic waste in landfills produces methane gas.

Flashcard 46: State the primary anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide.

Answer: Agricultural activities. Nitrogen fertilizers and soil management release $N_2O$ through microbial processes.

Flashcard 47: Which greenhouse gas results from both natural and human sources like wetlands and fossil fuel extraction?

Answer: Methane ($CH_4$). Wetlands produce methane naturally; humans add more through agriculture and energy.

Flashcard 48: Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential over 100 years?

Answer: Sulfur hexafluoride ($SF_6$). Though rare, $SF_6$ traps heat 23,500 times more effectively than $CO_2$.

Flashcard 49: What is the effect of increasing greenhouse gases on ocean pH levels?

Answer: Ocean acidification. $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering pH.

Flashcard 50: Identify a major source of methane emissions.

Answer: Agriculture (e.g., livestock). Livestock digestion and manure decomposition release significant methane quantities.

Flashcard 51: What is the relationship between deforestation and $CO_2$ levels?

Answer: Increases $CO_2$ levels. Fewer trees mean less $CO_2$ absorption and more carbon released from soil.

Flashcard 52: What is the main anthropogenic source of atmospheric $CO_2$?

Answer: Fossil fuel combustion. Human burning of fossil fuels dominates global $CO_2$ emissions.

Flashcard 53: Identify the main source of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere.

Answer: Refrigerants and aerosols. CFCs were widely used in cooling systems and spray products before being phased out.

Flashcard 54: Identify one impact of increased greenhouse gases on global climate.

Answer: Global warming. Greenhouse gases trap heat, causing Earth's average temperature to rise.

Flashcard 55: What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: Water vapor. Though $CO_2$ gets more attention, water vapor naturally dominates atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Flashcard 56: What is the most abundant greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: Water vapor. Though $CO_2$ gets more attention, water vapor naturally dominates atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Flashcard 57: State one method to mitigate increases in greenhouse gases.

Answer: Renewable energy use. Solar, wind, and hydropower replace fossil fuels, reducing $CO_2$ emissions.

Flashcard 58: Identify a technological solution to capture and store $CO_2$ emissions.

Answer: Carbon capture and storage. Technology captures $CO_2$ from emissions sources and stores it underground.

Flashcard 59: Which human activity is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?

Answer: Fertilizer application. Nitrogen fertilizers break down in soil, releasing $N_2O$ through bacterial processes.

Flashcard 60: Identify the process by which plants convert $CO_2$ and sunlight into energy.

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants use $CO_2$, water, and sunlight to create glucose and release oxygen.

Flashcard 61: What is the primary source of water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas?

Answer: Evaporation. Solar energy causes water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Flashcard 62: What is the effect of increasing greenhouse gases on ocean pH levels?

Answer: Ocean acidification. $CO_2$ dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering pH.

Flashcard 63: What is the role of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: Trap heat and maintain temperature. Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to support most life.

Flashcard 64: State the primary anthropogenic source of nitrous oxide.

Answer: Agricultural activities. Nitrogen fertilizers and soil management release $N_2O$ through microbial processes.

Flashcard 65: Which gas contributes to the greenhouse effect and is also a natural component of the atmosphere?

Answer: Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). $CO_2$ occurs naturally through respiration but human activities increase concentrations.

Flashcard 66: Identify the main source of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere.

Answer: Refrigerants and aerosols. CFCs were widely used in cooling systems and spray products before being phased out.

Flashcard 67: Which gas is a significant component of smog and also acts as a greenhouse gas?

Answer: Ozone ($O_3$). Ground-level ozone forms from pollutants and acts as a potent greenhouse gas.

Flashcard 68: What term describes the trapping of heat in Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases?

Answer: Greenhouse effect. Natural process where atmospheric gases trap heat to warm Earth's surface.