Question 1

Which of the following is part of environmental geology?

Accepted Answer

Environmental geology involves all of the above-mentioned factors, including interactions between people and the Earth, understanding natural processes that shape the earth, how people use the Earth for resources, and how we can become better stewards of the Earth and its natural resources.

Question 2

What is a sustainable society?

Accepted Answer

A sustainable society is one that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This involves balancing economic, social, and environmental concerns to ensure long-term viability. Option B is incorrect as it implies the opposite of sustainability. Option C is incorrect as exponential growth is not sustainable in the long run. Option D is incorrect as consuming geosphere resources without replenishing them is not sustainable.

Question 3

What is the formula for population growth rate?

Accepted Answer

The formula for population growth rate is the difference between the birth rate and the death rate. By subtracting the death rate from the birth rate, we can determine the rate at which a population is growing or shrinking.

Question 4

If we consume more mineral resources than we produce, we will have to:

Accepted Answer

When we consume more mineral resources than we produce, we will have to adopt multiple solutions in order to prevent resource depletion. Recycling should be increased as much as possible to reduce the demand for new minerals. Creating alternatives for the mineral resource is also an effective solution, for example, using biomass or solar energy to replace fossil fuels. Exploiting lower grade resources can also be a possible solution but it may not be economical, and it may lead to environmental problems. Importing more minerals from other countries can also be a solution, but it may be expensive and create issues with dependency on other countries. Hence, all the options given; recycling more, creating alternatives, exploiting lower grade resources, and importing more should be done in tandem in order to ensure sustainable mineral resource management.

Question 5

How would a sustainable society respond to overpopulation demands?

Accepted Answer

A sustainable society would need to address multiple factors in response to overpopulation demands. Engaging in agricultural practices that preserve soil quality for future generations would ensure food security for future generations. Seeking alternatives to burning Earth's reserves of limited fossil fuels would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, which are exacerbated by an increasing population. Limiting deforestation would help preserve habitats and the biodiversity of ecosystems. Investing more efforts in recycling would minimize waste and reduce the need for new resources to be extracted from the environment. Therefore, all choices A through D are necessary for a sustainable society to respond to overpopulation demands.

Question 6

Which country has an essentially stable population?

Accepted Answer

Japan has had a stable population since around the year 2010, with very little deviation from an overall population of approximately 127 million people. This is due to a number of factors, including strict immigration policies and low birth rates. Meanwhile, countries like India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are all experiencing significant population growth.

Question 7

What is per capita consumption?

Accepted Answer

Per capita consumption refers to the average consumption of a commodity per year per person.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a component of the hydrosphere?

Accepted Answer

The sun is not a component of the hydrosphere, as it is not a part of the Earth's water system but rather a source of energy for it. The other options are all part of the hydrosphere: rivers, clouds, glaciers, and oceans.

Question 9

What is a sink?

Accepted Answer

A sink refers to a part of a system where matter can be trapped if it has a long residence time, such as deep ocean sediments or polar ice caps.

Question 10

If transfers of energy and matter into and out of an open system are about the same, the system is said to be:

Accepted Answer

When transfers of energy and matter into and out of an open system are about the same, the system is said to be in steady state. This means that the system is in balance and there are no net changes in the amount of energy and matter within the system over time.

Question 11

Which of the following is part of the biosphere?

Accepted Answer

The biosphere includes all living organisms on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. The other choices, such as gases, rocks, and water, are part of the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere respectively.

Question 12

Carbon is stored in reservoirs in each of the four Earth systems.

Accepted Answer

Carbon is stored in reservoirs in each of the four Earth systems - the atmosphere, the biosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere.

Question 13

A given reservoir will stay the same size if the flux in is greater than the flux out.

Accepted Answer

If the flux into a reservoir is greater than the flux out, the reservoir will increase in size over time, not stay the same.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of flux?

Accepted Answer

Flux refers to the transfer or movement of something between different parts of a system. In this case, carbon is being transferred from the atmosphere into land plants, making it an example of flux. The other options do not involve a transfer or movement of anything.

Question 15

The amount of time matter is contained in a specific reservoir is called ________ time.

Accepted Answer

The amount of time matter remains in a specific reservoir is referred to as residence time.

Question 16

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-Theory

Accepted Answer

A theory is a well-accepted statement that many consider a useful explanation of a situation or problem.

Question 17

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-Hypothesis

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that is consistent with what is known about a situation or problem; it needs to be tested.

Question 18

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-Scientific method

Accepted Answer

The scientific method is an approach to asking and answering questions that scientist use to explore and explain how the natural world operates.

Question 19

Match the following options to its correct definition.
-Prediction

Accepted Answer

Prediction is a well educated guess about what will happen based on observations and statements about a situation or problem.

Question 20

What is true about a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation. It explains a large set of observations and relationships that have been independently verified by many researchers. It is not absolute truth or fact, but it is the best explanation we have based on the available evidence.

Quiz 1: What Does Living With Earth Mean