Topic 1 worksheet

1. The following is a schematic diagram of an “ecotron”. This is a walk-in chamber with computer
controlled climatic conditions for studying small communities representative of natural
ecosystems.

(a) State whether this is an open, closed or isolated system. Give one reason for your answer.

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(b) Identify and explain two ways in which the inputs to the system would differ from the
outputs while communities are growing within the ecotron.

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(c) If a fall in temperature of the system is detected by the sensors, mechanisms will be
automatically initiated to increase the temperature. State which kind of feedback this
demonstrates.

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(d) (i) Outline how the second law of thermodynamics can explain the pyramid shape
associated with most food chains including that found in the ecotron.

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(ii) In this context, explain why food chains studied in the ecotron are generally limited
to no more than three trophic levels.

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2. (a) Define the following terms.

(i) Negative feedback

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(ii) Positive feedback

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(b) Suggest why most ecosystems are negative feedback systems.

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The diagram below represents a coal fired power station.

(c) Complete the diagram above by naming the missing input and the two missing outputs.
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3. The figure below shows a model of the climatic system.

(a) Define the term model.

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(b) Identify two internal interactions in the figure above which affect the climate.

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(c) List four gases which are part of the atmosphere.

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(d) State how solar inputs and Earth outputs differ in their radiation wavelengths.

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 (e) Outline the ways in which human activity can have an impact on climate.

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(f) Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the model in the figure above for describing the
atmospheric system.

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4. (a) (i) State the first law of thermodynamics.

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(ii) Calculate the amount of energy output in the model below.

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(b) The diagram below represents a simplified hydrological cycle.

(i) Identify the processes corresponding to the arrows labelled 1 to 4 in the diagram.

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(ii) Suggest one weakness in the model above.

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The graph below shows the estimated world water withdrawals from 1960 to 2000.

(iii) Calculate the percentage increase in world water withdrawals from 1960 to 2000.

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(iv) Suggest three reasons for the increase in water withdrawals during the period 1960
to 2000.

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5. The figure below contains an ancient Chinese proverb.

Proverb

If you are thinking a year ahead,

If you are thinking ten years ahead,

If you are thinking a hundred years

Chinese poet Kuan Tzu 500 BC

(a) The poet Kuan Tzu could be seen as an ecocentrist or a technocentrist. Justify whether
you think his views are ecocentric or technocentric.

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(b) Outline two factors which may affect someone’s environmental philosophy.

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