AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AP TEST
REVIEW 2024
Ionizing radiation - enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms, forming ions;
capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays, UV)
High Quality Energy - organized & concentrated; can perform useful work (fossil
fuel & nuclear)
Low Quality Energy - disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air wind, solar)
First Law of Thermodynamics - energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may
be converted from one form to another (Law of Conservation of Energy)
Second Law of Thermodynamics - when energy is changed from one form to
another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy, usually
heat
Half-life - the time it takes for ½ the mass of a radioisotope to decay
,AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AP TEST
REVIEW 2024
Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe
level - approximately 10 half-lives
Nuclear Fission - nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons
Nuclear Fusion - two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high
temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus (He). Process is expensive;
break-even point not reached yet
Ore - a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it
profitable to mine
Organic fertilizer - slow-acting & long-lasting because the organic remains need
time to be decomposed
Best solutions to energy shortage - conservation, increase efficiency, explore
alternative energy options
Surface mining - cheaper and can remove more minerals; less hazardous to
workers
, AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AP TEST
REVIEW 2024
Humus - organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms
Leaching - removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards
Illuviation - deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B horizon)
Loam - perfect agricultural soil with optimal portions of sand, silt, clay (40%, 40%,
20%)
Conservation - allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner
Preservation - setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities
Parts of the hydrologic cycle - evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation,
precipitation, infiltration
Aquifer - any water-bearing layer in the ground
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Ellah1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $13.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.