Details Title: Chapter two Description: SC225: Environmental Science Total Flash Cards: 7 Created: 09/12/2009 14:00:45		New Users: To study from this flashcard set, or to create your own your own study flash cards, REGISTER HERE. Existing Users: CLICK HERE. Additional Environmental Studies Flashcards
Cards in this set: Term What are six unique properties of water? Definition 1. Expands upon crystallization at freezing temperatures 2. Cohesive molecules allow capillary action and surface tension 3. Polar molecules allows water to readily dissolve substances 4. Inorganic liquid at normal temperatures 5. High specific heat 6. High heat of vaporization     CHAPTER 2, p. 31 Term What are polymers? Definition Chains or rings with carbon backbones. CHAPTER 2, p. 31 Term What are organic compounds?   Definition Complex molecules organized around carbon backbones.   CHAPTER 2, p. 31; Glossary, p. 384 Term What do deep sea ecosystems use for energy instead of photosynthesis? Definition Volcanic thermal vents (chemosynthesis).   CHAPTER 2, p. 34       Term Why does the existence of the human species in the universe contradict entropy? Definition According to the second law of thermodynamics, disorder--or entropy--tends to increase in all natural systems. Because of this loss, everything in the universe tends to fall apart, slow down, and get more disorganized. Humans are organized.   CHAPTER 2, p. 34; Glossary, p. 381 Term Why is perpetual motion impossible? Definition The first law of thermodynamics states that energy is conserved; that is, it is neither created nor destroyed under normal conditions. Therefore, the first law demands all machines have a source of energy. Perpetual motion procures energy from nothingness, contradicting the first law of thermodynamics.   CHAPTER 2, p. 34 Term What is conservation of matter? Definition In chemical reactions, matter is neither created nor destroyed.   CHAPTER 2, p. 34