4-study guide

    Master this deck with 25 terms through effective study methods.

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    Created by @syd

    What is the greenhouse effect?

    Solar energy warms Earth, and greenhouse gases trap some heat.

    Why are greenhouse gases necessary, but too much is harmful?

    They maintain warmth for life, but excess leads to climate change.

    Why doesn’t all solar energy get absorbed by Earth?

    Some energy is reflected by clouds, ice, and light surfaces.

    What is albedo?

    It measures how much light a surface reflects.

    What happens after Earth absorbs solar energy?

    Energy is converted to heat and released as infrared radiation.

    How do greenhouse gases trap heat?

    They absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation back to Earth.

    How does increasing greenhouse gases make climate hotter?

    More gases trap more heat, raising Earth's temperature.

    What is the difference between carbon sources and carbon sinks?

    Sources release CO2; sinks absorb and store CO2.

    How do humans impact the carbon cycle?

    They add CO2 through fossil fuel use and deforestation.

    What is reaction rate?

    It measures how quickly reactants turn into products.

    Why is reaction rate important for equilibrium?

    Equilibrium occurs when forward and reverse reactions are equal.

    What is collision theory?

    Reactions require particles to collide with sufficient energy.

    How does concentration affect reaction rate?

    Higher concentration increases collision frequency, speeding reactions.

    What is activation energy?

    It is the minimum energy needed for a reaction to occur.

    How does a catalyst work?

    It lowers activation energy, increasing reaction speed.

    What is an exothermic reaction?

    It releases heat during the reaction.

    What is a reversible reaction?

    It can proceed in both forward and backward directions.

    What is the pH scale based on?

    It is based on the concentration of hydrogen ions [H+].

    What does a low pH mean?

    It indicates high [H+] and a more acidic solution.

    What happens if [H+] increases?

    pH decreases, making the solution more acidic.

    What is a buffer?

    It resists pH changes by absorbing or releasing hydrogen ions.

    Why does more atmospheric CO₂ increase dissolved ocean CO₂?

    CO₂ moves between air and ocean until equilibrium is reached.

    What happens to dissolved CO₂ in ocean water?

    It forms carbonic acid and other ions, affecting pH.

    How does dissolved CO₂ increase acidity?

    It produces more hydrogen ions, lowering pH.

    What is a neutralization reaction?

    It occurs when an acid and base react to form water and salt.