AP Environmental Science Flashcards: The Greenhouse Effect

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on The Greenhouse Effect, 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 gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP)?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have GWPs thousands of times higher than $CO_2$ but are now regulated.

Flashcard 2: Identify a natural source of carbon dioxide.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes release $CO_2$ from magma and carbonate rock decomposition.

Flashcard 3: What percentage of the Earth's atmosphere is composed of CO2?

Answer: Approximately 0.04%. Current atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration is about 420 ppm and rising.

Flashcard 4: What is the main purpose of the Paris Agreement?

Answer: To limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. International agreement to prevent dangerous climate change through emission reductions.

Flashcard 5: State the Kyoto Protocol's main goal.

Answer: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. International treaty establishing binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.

Flashcard 6: What is the primary cause of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Human industrial activities. Manufacturing, energy production, and transportation burn fossil fuels for power.

Flashcard 7: Identify one factor that can lead to increased atmospheric CO2.

Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuel combustion is the dominant source of anthropogenic $CO_2$ emissions.

Flashcard 8: Identify a significant consequence of the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Answer: Global climate change. Enhanced greenhouse effect disrupts global climate systems and weather patterns.

Flashcard 9: Identify the unit for measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

Answer: Parts per million (ppm). Standard measurement for trace gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Flashcard 10: Identify the main anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide.

Answer: Fossil fuel combustion. Burning coal, oil, and gas releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 11: Identify the unit for measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

Answer: Parts per million (ppm). Standard measurement for trace gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Flashcard 12: What is the effect of sea level rise on coastal communities?

Answer: Increased flooding and erosion. Higher sea levels submerge land and intensify storm surge damage.

Flashcard 13: Name three primary greenhouse gases.

Answer: Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These are the most significant heat-trapping gases in Earth's atmosphere.

Flashcard 14: What is the main purpose of the Paris Agreement?

Answer: To limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. International agreement to prevent dangerous climate change through emission reductions.

Flashcard 15: Which human activity is a significant source of methane?

Answer: Agriculture, specifically livestock digestion. Ruminants produce methane through digestion, and rice paddies emit it from anaerobic conditions.

Flashcard 16: What is the role of carbon sinks in climate regulation?

Answer: They absorb more carbon than they emit, reducing atmospheric CO2. Carbon sinks remove more $CO_2$ from the atmosphere than they release.

Flashcard 17: What is the potential impact of increased temperature on biodiversity?

Answer: Loss of species unable to adapt to rapid climate changes. Rapid climate change exceeds species' adaptation rates, causing extinctions.

Flashcard 18: Explain the term 'albedo effect.'

Answer: The reflectivity of Earth's surface impacting heat absorption. Higher albedo reflects more solar radiation, while lower albedo absorbs more heat.

Flashcard 19: Name a greenhouse gas that also depletes the ozone layer.

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs break down ozone molecules while also trapping infrared radiation.

Flashcard 20: What is the GWP of carbon dioxide?

Answer: 1 (baseline for comparison). $CO_2$ serves as the reference standard for comparing other greenhouse gases.

Flashcard 21: What is the effect of increased greenhouse gases on polar ice caps?

Answer: Melting of ice caps due to rising temperatures. Higher temperatures cause ice to melt, contributing to sea level rise.

Flashcard 22: What is the primary method of methane emission from wetlands?

Answer: Anaerobic decomposition of organic material. Bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen, producing methane gas.

Flashcard 23: Identify the main greenhouse gas emitted by agriculture.

Answer: Methane. Livestock digestion and rice cultivation are major agricultural methane sources.

Flashcard 24: What impact does ocean acidification have on marine life?

Answer: It harms marine organisms, particularly shell-forming species. Lower pH dissolves calcium carbonate shells and disrupts marine food chains.

Flashcard 25: Identify a significant consequence of the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Answer: Global climate change. Enhanced greenhouse effect disrupts global climate systems and weather patterns.

Flashcard 26: Which human activity is a significant source of methane?

Answer: Agriculture, specifically livestock digestion. Ruminants produce methane through digestion, and rice paddies emit it from anaerobic conditions.

Flashcard 27: Explain the relationship between greenhouse gases and global warming.

Answer: Greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to increased global temperatures. More greenhouse gases increase heat retention, raising Earth's average temperature.

Flashcard 28: Which sector is the largest contributor to global CO2 emissions?

Answer: Energy sector. Power generation from coal, oil, and gas produces most global carbon emissions.

Flashcard 29: What is the effect of deforestation on the greenhouse effect?

Answer: Increases carbon dioxide levels, enhancing the greenhouse effect. Trees absorb $CO_2$; removing them reduces carbon storage capacity.

Flashcard 30: Name three primary greenhouse gases.

Answer: Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These are the most significant heat-trapping gases in Earth's atmosphere.

Flashcard 31: What is one direct effect of increased atmospheric CO2 on oceans?

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

Flashcard 32: What is the main consequence of permafrost thawing?

Answer: Release of stored methane and CO2. Thawing releases previously frozen organic carbon as greenhouse gases.

Flashcard 33: Identify the main natural process removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic compounds using solar energy.

Flashcard 34: Identify the main greenhouse gas emitted by agriculture.

Answer: Methane. Livestock digestion and rice cultivation are major agricultural methane sources.

Flashcard 35: What is the pre-industrial level of atmospheric CO2 concentration?

Answer: Approximately 280 ppm. Baseline measurement before significant human industrial emissions began.

Flashcard 36: What is the effect of increased greenhouse gases on polar ice caps?

Answer: Melting of ice caps due to rising temperatures. Higher temperatures cause ice to melt, contributing to sea level rise.

Flashcard 37: Identify one mitigation strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer: Increasing energy efficiency. Using less energy reduces fossil fuel consumption and $CO_2$ emissions.

Flashcard 38: What is the primary method by which oceans absorb CO2?

Answer: Dissolution of CO2 in seawater. $CO_2$ dissolves directly into ocean water, forming carbonic acid.

Flashcard 39: What is one impact of the greenhouse effect on weather patterns?

Answer: Increased frequency of extreme weather events. Enhanced greenhouse effect intensifies storms, droughts, and heat waves.

Flashcard 40: What is the potential impact of increased temperature on biodiversity?

Answer: Loss of species unable to adapt to rapid climate changes. Rapid climate change exceeds species' adaptation rates, causing extinctions.

Flashcard 41: Which human activity significantly increases nitrous oxide emissions?

Answer: Use of synthetic fertilizers. Fertilizers contain nitrogen compounds that release $N_2O$ through soil processes.

Flashcard 42: Which greenhouse gas is most abundant in the atmosphere?

Answer: Water vapor. Water vapor makes up 1-4% of the atmosphere and has strong heat-trapping properties.

Flashcard 43: What is one direct effect of increased atmospheric CO2 on oceans?

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

Flashcard 44: Which gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP)?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have GWPs thousands of times higher than $CO_2$ but are now regulated.

Flashcard 45: What is the role of water vapor in the greenhouse effect?

Answer: It is a potent greenhouse gas amplifying warming. Water vapor provides positive feedback, amplifying warming from other greenhouse gases.

Flashcard 46: Which sector is the largest contributor to global CO2 emissions?

Answer: Energy sector. Power generation from coal, oil, and gas produces most global carbon emissions.

Flashcard 47: What role does nitrous oxide play in the greenhouse effect?

Answer: It is a potent greenhouse gas released by agriculture and industry. $N_2O$ has a GWP about 300 times higher than $CO_2$ over 100 years.

Flashcard 48: Identify the main natural process removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic compounds using solar energy.

Flashcard 49: Which process contributes to the natural greenhouse effect?

Answer: Absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb Earth's outgoing infrared radiation and re-emit it downward.