chapter 2Review
Throughout this chapter, we have examined environmental systems. Earth is one large interconnected system. Components of the system follow basic principles of chemistry and biology. Energy is an important component of these systems. Energy conversions are frequently used in systems analysis. Natural systems change over space and time and humans are sometimes major actors in causing system change.
Matter Mass Atom Element Periodic table Molecule Compound Atomic number Mass number Isotopes Radioactive decay Half-life Covalent bond Ionic bond Hydrogen bond Polar molecule Surface tension Capillary action Acid Base pH Chemical reaction Law of conservation of matter Inorganic compound Organic compound Carbohydrate Protein Nucleic acid DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) RNA (ribonucleic acid) Lipid Cell Energy Electromagnetic radiation Photon Potential energy Kinetic energy Chemical energy Joule (J) Power Temperature First law of thermodynamics Second law of thermodynamics Energy efficiency Energy quality Entropy Open system Closed system Input Output Systems analysis Steady state Negative feedback loop Positive feedback loop | The time it takes for one-half of an original radioactive parent atom to decay. A molecule containing more than one element. The smallest particle that can contain the chemical properties of an element. A system in which exchanges of matter or energy occur across system boundaries. An analysis to determine inputs, outputs, and changes in a system under various conditions. A measurement of the amount of matter an object contains. A reaction that occurs when atoms separate from molecules or recombine with other molecules. The ease with which an energy source can be used for work. The amount of energy used when a 1-watt electrical device is turned on for 1 second. A property of water that occurs when adhesion of water molecules to a surface is stronger than cohesion between the molecules. A state in which inputs equal outputs, so that the system is not changing over time. A compound that contains carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds. The rate at which work is done. The physical law stating that when energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes. The number that indicates the relative strength of acids and bases in a substance. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. A law of nature stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change form. A molecule in which one side is more positive and the other side is more negative. Randomness in a system. Anything that occupies space and has mass. The energy of motion. A system in which matter and energy exchanges do not occur across boundaries. The spontaneous release of material from the nucleus of radioactive isotopes. The measure of the average kinetic energy of a substance. A form of energy emitted by the Sun that includes, but is not limited to, visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared energy. The ability to do work or transfer heat. Stored energy that has not been released. The number of protons in the nucleus of a particular element. A measurement of the total number of protons and neutrons in an element. A smaller organic biological molecule that does not mix with water. The bond formed when elements share electrons. A substance that contributes hydrogen ions to a solution. A nucleic acid, the genetic material that contains the code for reproducing the components of the next generation, and which organisms pass on to their offspring. The ratio of the amount of energy expended in the form you want to the total amount of energy that is introduced into the system. A compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. A compound that does not contain the element carbon or contains carbon bound to elements other than hydrogen. A nucleic acid that translates the code stored in DNA, which makes possible the synthesis of proteins. Potential energy stored in chemical bonds. A highly organized living entity that consists of the four types of macromolecules and other substances in a watery solution, surrounded by a membrane. A chemical bond between two ions of opposite charges. A feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified. A chart of all chemical elements currently known, organized by their properties. A feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring. An addition to a system. A particle that contains more than one atom. A property of water that results from the cohesion of water molecules at the surface of a body of water and that creates a sort of skin on the water’s surface. A weak chemical bond that forms when hydrogen atoms that are covalently bonded to one atom are attracted to another atom on another molecule. A loss from a system. A substance that contributes hydroxide ions to a solution. Organic compounds found in all living cells. A substance composed of atoms that cannot be broken down into smaller, simpler components. A massless packet of energy that carries electromagnetic radiation at the speed of light. A critical component of living organisms made up of a long chain of nitrogen-containing organic molecules known as amino acids. A physical law which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can change from one form to another. |
Module 4 Systems and Matter
Describe how matter comprises atoms and molecules that move among different systems.
Matter is composed of atoms, which are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atoms and molecules can interact in chemical reactions in which the bonds between particular atoms may change.
Explain why water is an important component of most environmental systems.
Water facilitates the transfer of chemical elements and compounds from one system to another. The molecular structure of water gives it unique properties that support the conditions necessary for life on Earth. These properties are essential to physiological functioning of plants and animals and the movement of elements through systems.
Discuss how matter is conserved in chemical and biological systems.
Matter cannot be created or destroyed, but its form can be changed within chemical and biological systems. This is part of the reason we cannot easily dispose of certain chemical compounds, such as hazardous materials.
Module 5 Energy, Flows, and Feedbacks
Distinguish among various forms of energy and understand how they are measured.
Energy can take various forms, including energy that is stored (potential energy) and the energy of motion (kinetic energy). Joules and calories are two important energy units.
Discuss the first and second laws of thermodynamics and explain how they influence environmental systems.
The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form into another. The second law of thermodynamics states that in any conversion of energy, some energy is converted into unusable waste energy, and the entropy of the universe is increased. The quantities and forms of energy present in various systems influence the types of organisms in those systems.
Explain how scientists keep track of energy and matter inputs, outputs, and changes to environmental systems.
Systems can be open or closed to exchanges of matter, energy, or both. A systems analysis determines what goes into, what comes out of, and what has changed within a given system. Environmental scientists use systems analysis to calculate inputs to and outputs from a system and its rate of change. If there is no overall change, the system is in steady state. Changes in one input or output can affect the entire system.