The following is a list of all the topics that will be covered on the final exam. You will see them organized by topic and within each topic a list of vocabulary terms and concepts you will need to master in order to do well on the final exam. I have also provided the corresponding chapters in the book as you all have an online version available to you outside of the classroom. Use your warm-ups, worksheets, and notes in addition to your text as a resource for studying.
Define the terms and explain the concepts, then review, review, review!
1.
Science and the Environment, the Dynamic Earth, and Solar system (Chapter 1 and 3):
Terms to know: sustainability, what is environmental science?, biodiversity, natural resources, weather, climate, atmosphere
Concepts: know the layers of the atmosphere, the terrestrial planets, what makes earth unique, where is mars, Venus, and mercury in our solar system?
2.
Carbon Cycle and Footprint (Chapter 5):
Terms to know: carbon cycle, carbon dioxide, respiration, photosynthesis, carbon footprint
Concepts: how do humans affect the carbon cycle, how can we reduce our carbon footprint
3.
Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases (Chapter 13):
Terms to know: climate, weather, ozone layer, greenhouse gases, climate change, methane, water vapor, carbon dioxide, all greenhouse gases!
Concepts: understand what influences climate change, human impact and what we can do to reduce our effect on climate change, what humans do to put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
4.
Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources (Chapters 17 and 18):
Terms to know: fossil fuels, alternative energy, coal, natural gas, oil or petroleum, energy efficiency, solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass, energy conservation
Concepts: know where fossil fuels come from and how humans use them, how can we conserve energy and become more energy efficient
5.
Air Pollution (Chapter 12):
Terms to know: primary pollutant, secondary pollutant, smog, carbon monoxide, VOC’s
Concepts: know the different primary and secondary pollutants, know effects of air pollution, sources of pollutants, what is most air pollution caused by, particulate air pollutants
6.
Biomes (Chapter 6):
Terms and Concepts: be able to identify and describe the characteristics (climate, location, animals, and plants) of all biomes discussed in class – chaparral, desert, tundra, taiga, deciduous forest, tropical rainforest, savanna, grasslands. Also be able to explain how these biomes are being impacted by human activities and how the animals and plants are adapted to each of the biomes.