AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Renewable And Nonrenewable Resources

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Renewable And Nonrenewable Resources, 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: Identify one health impact of air pollution from fossil fuels.

Answer: Respiratory problems such as asthma. Air pollutants irritate and damage respiratory systems.

Flashcard 2: What is the primary use of uranium in energy production?

Answer: Nuclear power generation. Nuclear fission of uranium creates heat for electricity.

Flashcard 3: Which energy source uses turbines and generators to convert kinetic to electrical energy?

Answer: Hydropower. Water flow turns turbines to generate electricity.

Flashcard 4: Which renewable resource relies on photovoltaic cells?

Answer: Solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight into electricity.

Flashcard 5: What is the main advantage of using renewable energy over nonrenewable?

Answer: Sustainability due to an unlimited supply. Renewable resources won't be depleted over time.

Flashcard 6: What is a major disadvantage of wind energy?

Answer: Intermittent energy supply due to variable wind conditions. Wind patterns vary, making power output unpredictable.

Flashcard 7: What is the primary use of uranium in energy production?

Answer: Nuclear power generation. Nuclear fission of uranium creates heat for electricity.

Flashcard 8: What is a significant limitation of solar energy?

Answer: Energy production is limited by sunlight availability. Clouds and nighttime prevent continuous energy generation.

Flashcard 9: Which renewable resource relies on photovoltaic cells?

Answer: Solar energy. Photovoltaic technology converts sunlight into electricity.

Flashcard 10: What is geothermal energy?

Answer: Energy derived from the Earth's internal heat. Heat from Earth's core provides thermal energy.

Flashcard 11: Identify one advantage of using biomass as an energy source.

Answer: Reduces waste through organic matter utilization. Converts waste materials into useful energy sources.

Flashcard 12: Identify the main environmental impact of burning fossil fuels.

Answer: Increased greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel combustion releases $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 13: Which energy source is derived from organic matter decomposition?

Answer: Biomass. Wood, agricultural waste, and organic materials provide energy.

Flashcard 14: Identify one key benefit of using natural gas over coal.

Answer: Produces fewer emissions of sulfur dioxide and particulates. Burns cleaner than coal with fewer pollutants.

Flashcard 15: Which energy source uses turbines and generators to convert kinetic to electrical energy?

Answer: Hydropower. Water flow turns turbines to generate electricity.

Flashcard 16: What is a major disadvantage of wind energy?

Answer: Intermittent energy supply due to variable wind conditions. Wind patterns vary, making power output unpredictable.

Flashcard 17: Identify one example of a renewable resource.

Answer: Solar energy. Continuously available from the sun's radiation.

Flashcard 18: What is the main benefit of using tidal energy?

Answer: Predictable energy generation based on tidal cycles. Ocean tides follow regular, reliable patterns.

Flashcard 19: What is the definition of a nonrenewable resource?

Answer: A resource with a finite supply that cannot be replenished quickly. These take millions of years to form naturally.

Flashcard 20: What is the main issue with nuclear waste?

Answer: Requires long-term storage solutions due to radioactivity. Radioactive materials remain hazardous for thousands of years.

Flashcard 21: What type of resource is uranium classified as?

Answer: Nonrenewable resource. Uranium is finite and takes millions of years to form.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary challenge of tidal energy?

Answer: Limited to coastal areas with significant tidal ranges. Only viable in specific geographic locations globally.

Flashcard 23: Which resource is primarily used for transportation fuels?

Answer: Petroleum. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Flashcard 24: What is the main environmental concern associated with nuclear power?

Answer: Nuclear waste disposal and potential for accidents. Radioactive waste and meltdown risks pose threats.

Flashcard 25: Which resource is primarily used for transportation fuels?

Answer: Petroleum. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Flashcard 26: Which renewable energy is least affected by weather conditions?

Answer: Geothermal energy. Earth's internal heat remains constant regardless of weather.

Flashcard 27: Identify the primary gas contributing to the greenhouse effect from fossil fuels.

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Released when fossil fuels are burned for energy.

Flashcard 28: Identify one environmental impact of extracting natural gas.

Answer: Potential groundwater contamination from fracking. Hydraulic fracturing can pollute underground water supplies.

Flashcard 29: Which resource is used in the production of biofuels?

Answer: Biomass. Organic matter converted into ethanol and biodiesel.

Flashcard 30: What is the definition of a renewable resource?

Answer: A resource replenished naturally at a rate comparable to its usage. Renewable resources regenerate within human timescales.

Flashcard 31: What is a major advantage of hydropower over solar power?

Answer: Consistent energy production regardless of weather. Water reservoirs store energy for continuous electricity generation.

Flashcard 32: Identify one advantage of using biomass as an energy source.

Answer: Reduces waste through organic matter utilization. Converts waste materials into useful energy sources.

Flashcard 33: Identify one key benefit of using natural gas over coal.

Answer: Produces fewer emissions of sulfur dioxide and particulates. Burns cleaner than coal with fewer pollutants.

Flashcard 34: Which energy source can cause habitat destruction and water use conflicts?

Answer: Hydropower. Dams flood ecosystems and compete for water resources.

Flashcard 35: Identify one environmental impact of extracting natural gas.

Answer: Potential groundwater contamination from fracking. Hydraulic fracturing can pollute underground water supplies.

Flashcard 36: Which resource is used in the production of biofuels?

Answer: Biomass. Organic matter converted into ethanol and biodiesel.

Flashcard 37: What is the primary advantage of solar energy?

Answer: It is abundant and emits no greenhouse gases during use. Solar panels convert sunlight without harmful emissions.

Flashcard 38: State one environmental benefit of using renewable resources.

Answer: Reduces carbon footprint and air pollution. Renewable energy produces minimal harmful emissions.

Flashcard 39: Identify one health impact of air pollution from fossil fuels.

Answer: Respiratory problems such as asthma. Air pollutants irritate and damage respiratory systems.

Flashcard 40: What is the primary factor affecting the efficiency of wind turbines?

Answer: Wind speed and consistency. Turbines need consistent wind to operate efficiently.

Flashcard 41: How does geothermal energy impact land use?

Answer: Minimal land footprint compared to other energy sources. Underground systems require small surface areas.

Flashcard 42: What type of resource is uranium classified as?

Answer: Nonrenewable resource. Uranium is finite and takes millions of years to form.

Flashcard 43: Which energy source can cause habitat destruction and water use conflicts?

Answer: Hydropower. Dams flood ecosystems and compete for water resources.

Flashcard 44: Identify the main environmental impact of burning fossil fuels.

Answer: Increased greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel combustion releases $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 45: What is the main environmental concern associated with nuclear power?

Answer: Nuclear waste disposal and potential for accidents. Radioactive waste and meltdown risks pose threats.

Flashcard 46: Which renewable resource is harnessed using wind turbines?

Answer: Wind energy. Moving air spins turbine blades to generate electricity.

Flashcard 47: What is the primary factor affecting the efficiency of wind turbines?

Answer: Wind speed and consistency. Turbines need consistent wind to operate efficiently.

Flashcard 48: State the main disadvantage of hydropower.

Answer: Potential ecological disruption in aquatic ecosystems. Dams can disrupt fish migration and river ecosystems.

Flashcard 49: State the primary use of coal.

Answer: Electricity generation. Burned in power plants to produce electrical energy.

Flashcard 50: Which renewable energy is least affected by weather conditions?

Answer: Geothermal energy. Earth's internal heat remains constant regardless of weather.

Flashcard 51: What is the main issue with nuclear waste?

Answer: Requires long-term storage solutions due to radioactivity. Radioactive materials remain hazardous for thousands of years.

Flashcard 52: State one environmental benefit of using renewable resources.

Answer: Reduces carbon footprint and air pollution. Renewable energy produces minimal harmful emissions.

Flashcard 53: Identify one example of a nonrenewable resource.

Answer: Coal. Formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years.

Flashcard 54: What is the primary challenge of tidal energy?

Answer: Limited to coastal areas with significant tidal ranges. Only viable in specific geographic locations globally.

Flashcard 55: What is the main benefit of using tidal energy?

Answer: Predictable energy generation based on tidal cycles. Ocean tides follow regular, reliable patterns.

Flashcard 56: What is the primary component of coal?

Answer: Carbon. Coal is mostly carbon formed from compressed plants.

Flashcard 57: Which energy source is derived from organic matter decomposition?

Answer: Biomass. Wood, agricultural waste, and organic materials provide energy.

Flashcard 58: Identify the primary gas contributing to the greenhouse effect from fossil fuels.

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Released when fossil fuels are burned for energy.

Flashcard 59: State one challenge of integrating renewable energy into power grids.

Answer: Variable and intermittent power supply. Grid stability requires consistent, predictable power output.

Flashcard 60: Identify one example of a nonrenewable resource.

Answer: Coal. Formed from ancient organic matter over millions of years.

Flashcard 61: What is the definition of a nonrenewable resource?

Answer: A resource with a finite supply that cannot be replenished quickly. These take millions of years to form naturally.

Flashcard 62: State one challenge of integrating renewable energy into power grids.

Answer: Variable and intermittent power supply. Grid stability requires consistent, predictable power output.

Flashcard 63: What is the primary component of natural gas?

Answer: Methane. Natural gas is primarily composed of $CH_4$.

Flashcard 64: State the primary use of coal.

Answer: Electricity generation. Burned in power plants to produce electrical energy.

Flashcard 65: What is the main advantage of using renewable energy over nonrenewable?

Answer: Sustainability due to an unlimited supply. Renewable resources won't be depleted over time.

Flashcard 66: Identify one consequence of large-scale deforestation.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Habitat destruction eliminates species and ecological relationships.

Flashcard 67: What is geothermal energy?

Answer: Energy derived from the Earth's internal heat. Heat from Earth's core provides thermal energy.

Flashcard 68: What is a significant limitation of solar energy?

Answer: Energy production is limited by sunlight availability. Clouds and nighttime prevent continuous energy generation.

Flashcard 69: State the main disadvantage of hydropower.

Answer: Potential ecological disruption in aquatic ecosystems. Dams can disrupt fish migration and river ecosystems.

Flashcard 70: What is the primary advantage of solar energy?

Answer: It is abundant and emits no greenhouse gases during use. Solar panels convert sunlight without harmful emissions.

Flashcard 71: What is a common use of petroleum besides fuel?

Answer: Production of plastics and other petrochemicals. Petroleum serves as raw material for synthetic products.

Flashcard 72: Identify one example of a renewable resource.

Answer: Solar energy. Continuously available from the sun's radiation.

Flashcard 73: What is a common use of petroleum besides fuel?

Answer: Production of plastics and other petrochemicals. Petroleum serves as raw material for synthetic products.

Flashcard 74: What is a major advantage of hydropower over solar power?

Answer: Consistent energy production regardless of weather. Water reservoirs store energy for continuous electricity generation.

Flashcard 75: How does geothermal energy impact land use?

Answer: Minimal land footprint compared to other energy sources. Underground systems require small surface areas.

Flashcard 76: What is the primary component of coal?

Answer: Carbon. Coal is mostly carbon formed from compressed plants.

Flashcard 77: What is the definition of a renewable resource?

Answer: A resource replenished naturally at a rate comparable to its usage. Renewable resources regenerate within human timescales.

Flashcard 78: Which renewable resource is harnessed using wind turbines?

Answer: Wind energy. Moving air spins turbine blades to generate electricity.

Flashcard 79: Identify one consequence of large-scale deforestation.

Answer: Loss of biodiversity. Habitat destruction eliminates species and ecological relationships.