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AP Human Geography Rubenstien's Ch. 14 Vocabulary
Resource Issues
34
Geography
9th Grade
03/07/2012

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Term
air pollution
Definition
concentration of trace substances, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and sold particulates, at a greater level that occurs in average air
Term
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
Definition
a gas used as a solvent, a propellant in aerosols, a refrigerant, and in plastic foams and fire extinguishers
Term
conservation
Definition
the sustainable use and management of a natural resource, through consuming at a less rapid rate than it can be replaced
Term
ferrous
Definition
metals, including iron ore, that are utilized in the production of iron and steel
Term
acid precipitation
Definition
conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog
Term
fission
Definition
the splitting of an atomic nucleus to release energy
Term
fusion
Definition
creation of energy by joining the nuclei of two hydrogen atoms to form helium
Term
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
Definition
amount of oxygen required by aquatic bacteria to decompose a given load of organic waster; a measure of water pollution
Term
biodiversity
Definition
the number of species within a specific habitat
Term
breeder reactor
Definition
a nuclear power plant that creates its own fuel from plutonium
Term
geothermal energy
Definition
energy from steam or hot water produced from hot or molten underground rocks
Term
hydroelectric power
Definition
power generated from moving water
Term
nonferrous
Definition
metals utilized to make products other than iron and steel
Term
proven reserve
Definition
amount of energy remaining in deposits that have been discovered
Term
nonrenewable energy
Definition
energy sources that form so slowly that for practical purposes it cannot be renewed
Term
renewable energy
Definition
energy sources that are replaced continually, or within a human lifespan
Term
fossil fuel
Definition
residue of plants and animals that were buried millions of years ago (petroleum, natural gas, and coal)
Term
biomass fuel
Definition
wood, plant material, or animal waste that is burned for power or converted to charcoal, alcohol, or methane gas
Term
photochemical smog
Definition
an atmospheric condition formed through a combination of weather conditions, and pollution, especially from motor vehicle emissions
Term
photovoltaic cell
Definition
solar energy cells, usually made from silicon, that collect solar rays to generate electricity
Term
pollution
Definition
addition of more waste than a resource can generate
Term
preservation
Definition
maintenance of a resource in its present condition with as little human impact as possible
Term
inanimate power
Definition
power generated from machines
Term
animate power
Definition
power supplied by themselves (humans) or animals
Term
resource
Definition
substance in the environment that is useful to people, is economically and technologically feasible to access, and is socially acceptable to use
Term
radioactive waste
Definition
particles from a nuclear reaction that emit radiation; contact with such particles may be harmful or lethal to people and must therefore be safely stores for thousands of years
Term
recycling
Definition
the separation, collection, processing, marketing, and reuse of unwanted materials
Term
sanitary landfill
Definition
a place to deposit solid waste, where a layer of earth is bulldozed over garbage each day to reduce emissions of gasses and odors from the decaying trash, to minimize fires, and to discourage vermin
Term
sustainable development
Definition
the levels of development that can be maintained in a country without depleting resources to the extent that future generations will be unable to achieve a comparable level of development
Term
greenhouse effect
Definition
anticipated increase in Earth's temperature, caused by carbon dioxide (emitted by burning fossil fuels) trapping some of the radiation emitted by the surface
Term
passive solar energy systems
Definition
solar energy system that collects energy without the use of mechanical devices
Term
potential reserve
Definition
energy in undiscovered deposits that are thought to exist
Term
acid deposition
Definition
sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides emitted by burning fossil fuels, enter the atmosphere-where they combine with oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid-and return to earth's surface
Term
active solar energy systems
Definition
solar energy system that collects energy through the use of mechanical devices like photovoltaic cells or flat-plate collectors
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