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: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: What is the chemical formula for methane?

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

Flashcard 5: What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?

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

Flashcard 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: What process in plants helps reduce atmospheric $CO_2$ levels?

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

Flashcard 10: Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.

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

Flashcard 11: Identify a natural source of methane emissions.

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

Flashcard 12: 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 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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 16: State the effect of increased greenhouse gases on weather patterns.

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

Flashcard 17: 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 18: 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 19: Identify a natural source of methane emissions.

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

Flashcard 20: 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 21: Identify a major source of methane emissions.

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

Flashcard 22: Identify one greenhouse gas emitted from landfills.

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

Flashcard 23: 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 24: 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 25: Which greenhouse gas is primarily associated with aerosols?

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

Flashcard 26: 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 27: 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 28: 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 29: 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 30: 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.