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
Natural radioactive decay - unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays,
alpha particles, and beta particles
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
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
Natural radioactive decay - unstable radioisotopes decay releasing gamma rays,
alpha particles, and beta particles
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
