Chapter-14 Natural Resources

Explanation:

Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and a small amount of other gases like carbon dioxide, argon, and neon. Venus atmosphere is mostly made up of carbon dioxide (96%), with small amounts of nitrogen and other gases. Mars atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide (95%), with small amounts of nitrogen, argon, and oxygen.

Also Earth's atmosphere has an average surface temperature of about 15°C (59°F). Venus

atmosphere has a surface temperature that is hot enough to melt lead, with an average temperature of about 462°C (864°F). Mars atmosphere is much colder than Earth, with an average surface temperature of about -63°C (-81°F).

Explanation:

The Earth's atmosphere acts as a blanket in several ways. First, the atmosphere is made up of gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which absorb and trap heat from the sun, a process called the greenhouse effect. This process allows the Earth's temperature to remain within a range that is hospitable for life, by keeping the planet warm enough to prevent water from freezing but not so hot that it boils.

Second, the atmosphere protects the Earth from the harsh radiation and solar winds that come from the sun. The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere filters out most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation, which can cause skin cancer and other health problems.

Explanation:

Heating of the Earth's surface: The sun heats the Earth's surface, causing it to warm up. This causes the air near the surface to warm up and become less dense.

Rising warm air: The warm air rises because it is less dense than the surrounding cool air. As it rises, it cools and expands, which causes the water vapor in the air to condense and form clouds.

Creation of low pressure: As the warm air rises, it creates an area of low pressure at the surface. The surrounding air flows in to fill the void left by the rising warm air.

Movement of air: The movement of air from high pressure to low pressure creates winds. The greater the difference in pressure, the faster the wind will blow.

The Earth's rotation also plays a role in creating winds.

1. Evaporation: Water on the Earth's surface, such as in oceans, lakes, and rivers, evaporates into the atmosphere as water vapor. Water can also evaporate from plants and other living organisms through a process called transpiration.
2. Rising air: As the sun heats the Earth's surface, warm air rises and cools as it gains altitude. As it cools, the water vapor in the air begins to condense into tiny water droplets or ice crystals.
3. Condensation: The water droplets or ice crystals begin to stick together and form larger droplets or crystals, creating visible clouds.

Explanation:

1. Transportation: The burning of fossil fuels in vehicles such as cars, trucks, and airplanes releases pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air.
2. Industrial processes: Many industrial processes, such as manufacturing, mining, and power generation, release pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air.
3. Agricultural activities: Agricultural activities such as livestock production, crop burning, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides can release pollutants such as ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air.

Explanation:

Water is essential for the survival of all living organisms on Earth. Here are a few reasons why organisms need water:

1. Maintaining hydration: Water is needed to maintain the fluid balance within an organism's cells, tissues, and organs. Without enough water, cells can become dehydrated and fail to function properly.
2. Transportation of nutrients: Water is also needed to transport nutrients and other molecules throughout an organism's body. Water acts as a medium for the circulation of nutrients, hormones, and other important molecules within the body.
3. Removal of waste: Water is used by organisms to remove waste products from their bodies. Water is needed to flush out toxins, metabolic waste, and other unwanted materials from the body.
4. Temperature regulation: Water has a high heat capacity, which means it can absorb and release large amounts of heat without significant temperature changes. This makes water an important component in regulating an organism's body temperature, especially in warm-blooded animals such as mammals.

Explanation:

Some common sources of fresh water for city/town/village areas include:

1. Surface water: Surface water refers to water found in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Many cities and towns obtain their water supply from nearby surface water sources, which are often treated to remove contaminants before distribution.
2. Groundwater: Groundwater refers to water stored in underground aquifers. In some areas, groundwater may be the primary source of freshwater for a city or town. Groundwater can be accessed through wells or other pumping systems.
3. Rainwater harvesting: In areas with low rainfall or limited access to other water sources, rainwater harvesting systems can be used to collect and store rainwater for later use.

Explanation:

1. Industrial waste: Industries such as chemical manufacturing, mining, and power generation can release pollutants into nearby water sources, such as heavy metals, toxins, and other hazardous materials.
2. Agricultural runoff: Agricultural practices such as use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers can lead to runoff of chemicals into nearby water sources, causing contamination of water.
3. Sewage and wastewater discharge: Untreated or partially treated sewage and wastewater can release harmful pathogens and pollutants into water sources, leading to the spread of diseases and contamination of water.
4. Oil spills: Oil spills from transportation vessels or offshore drilling can release large quantities of oil into water sources, leading to contamination and harm to aquatic life.
5. Improper disposal of waste: Improper disposal of waste, including household waste, electronic waste, and hazardous waste, can lead to the release of pollutants and toxins into water sources.

Explanation:

Water is found in three different states during the water cycle:

1. Liquid state: Liquid water is the most common state of water on Earth. It is found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams, and makes up a significant portion of the Earth's surface.
2. Solid state: Water can also exist as a solid, such as ice or snow. When the temperature drops below freezing, liquid water can freeze and turn into ice or snow.
3. Gas state: Water can also exist in a gaseous state, known as water vapor. When liquid water is heated, it can evaporate and become water vapor, which is then released into the atmosphere.

Explanation:

Two biologically important compounds that contain both oxygen and nitrogen are:

1. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a molecule that carries genetic information and is found in the cells of all living organisms. DNA is made up of four nitrogenous bases which are linked together in a specific sequence to form a long chain.
2. RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is a single-stranded nucleic acid that is found in cells and plays an important role in protein synthesis. RNA is similar to DNA in that it is made up of nucleotides, which contain a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

Explanation:

Three human activities that can lead to an increase in the carbon dioxide content of the air are:

Burning of Fossil Fuels: Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These fuels are used for transportation, heating, electricity generation, and other purposes.

Deforestation: Deforestation, the clearing of forests for agriculture, urbanization, and other purposes, reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, leading to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Industrial Processes: Many industrial processes such as cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical production release carbon dioxide as a byproduct. As industrialization increases, so does the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

Explanation:

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, trap heat from the sun and prevent it from escaping back into space. This process helps to regulate the temperature of the Earth and is essential for life on our planet.

However, human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation have led to an increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which has enhanced the greenhouse effect and caused the Earth's temperature to rise. This phenomenon is known as global warming.

Explanation:

The two forms of oxygen found in the Earth's atmosphere are:

1. Diatomic Oxygen (O2): Diatomic oxygen is the most abundant form of oxygen in the atmosphere, making up about 21% of its volume. It is a molecule made up of two oxygen atoms and is essential for the respiration of all aerobic organisms.

Ozone (O3): Ozone is a form of oxygen that is present in small amounts in the Earth's atmosphere. It is formed when ultraviolet radiation from the sun splits diatomic oxygen molecules into individual oxygen atoms, which can then combine with other diatomic oxygen molecules to form ozone. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent and helps to protect the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, at ground level, ozone is a harmful air pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.

Explanation:

The atmosphere is essential for life on Earth for the following reasons:

Provides Oxygen: The atmosphere contains oxygen, which is necessary for the respiration of most organisms. Oxygen is used to break down food molecules and release energy, which is essential for life.

Regulates Temperature: The atmosphere helps to regulate the temperature of the Earth by trapping heat from the sun and preventing it from escaping into space. This process, known as the greenhouse effect, keeps the planet warm and makes it habitable for living organisms.

Protects from Harmful Radiation: The atmosphere helps to protect the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which can cause skin cancer and other health problems.

Provides Water: The atmosphere contains water vapor, which is essential for the water cycle and the production of rain. Rain provides fresh water for plants and animals, which is essential for life.

Reduces Meteor Impacts: The atmosphere protects the Earth from meteor impacts by burning up smaller meteors before they reach the surface. This protects life on Earth from catastrophic events that could cause mass extinction.

Explanation:

Water is essential for life on Earth because:

It is a Universal Solvent: Water is a very good solvent and can dissolve many substances, making it an important medium for many biological and chemical reactions. This property of water makes it essential for digestion, metabolism, and other cellular processes.

It Regulates Temperature: Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means that it can absorb and release large amounts of heat without much change in its own temperature. This property allows water to help regulate temperature, both in living organisms and in the environment.

It is a Lubricant: Water acts as a lubricant in many biological processes such as digestion and respiration. It also helps to cushion and protect organs and tissues.

It is a Medium for Transportation: Water is an excellent medium for transporting substances in living organisms, such as nutrients, oxygen, and waste products.

It Supports Life: Water is the main component of cells, tissues, and organs in living organisms. It provides structure and support, helps to maintain the shape of cells, and is involved in many metabolic processes.

Explanation:

Living organisms are highly dependent on soil as a resource because of the following reasons:

Nutrient Cycling: Soil is the primary source of nutrients for plants, which form the base of most food chains. Soil contains many essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are necessary for the growth and survival of plants.

Habitat: Soil is also an important habitat for many organisms, such as worms, insects, and microorganisms, which play critical roles in the nutrient cycling process and the maintenance of soil health.

Water Storage and Filtration: Soil serves as a storage reservoir for water, and also plays a critical role in the filtration and purification of water. This helps to maintain a stable water supply and ensures the availability of clean water for living organisms. 

Although living organisms that reside in water do not directly depend on soil, they are still affected by it. The microbes present on soil in aquatic environments act as primary producers, which are a vital component of the food chain. Additionally, various microorganisms in soil aid in the decomposition of dead plants and animals in water, which results in the release of essential nutrients and elements back into the water. Therefore, even organisms living in water are influenced by the important role that soil and its microbes play in nutrient cycling and sustaining ecosystems.

Explanation:

Meteorologists study weather by collecting data on various atmospheric variables such as temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation using a variety of instruments such as weather balloons, satellites, and ground-based sensors.

This data is then fed into powerful computer models, which use mathematical equations to simulate atmospheric processes and predict future weather conditions. The models take into account past weather patterns, current conditions, and various environmental factors to generate forecasts.

Explanation:

Isolating polluting activities to specific and limited areas may help in reducing pollution to some extent, but it is not a complete solution.

Firstly, pollution can easily spread beyond the isolated areas through wind, water currents, and soil erosion. This means that even if polluting activities are confined to certain areas, the pollutants can still affect neighboring areas and ecosystems.

Secondly, limiting polluting activities to specific areas may not be feasible in all cases. For example, many industrial and agricultural activities are essential for economic growth and food production, but they also have the potential to contribute to pollution. It may not be possible or practical to isolate these activities to limited areas without impacting their productivity or efficiency.

Explanation:

Forests play a critical role in maintaining the quality of our air, soil, and water resources. Here are some ways in which forests influence these resources:

Air Quality: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations and regulate the global climate. Trees also absorb pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory diseases.

Soil Quality: Forests play an important role in maintaining soil quality by preventing erosion and promoting soil formation. Tree roots help to hold soil in place, preventing it from being washed away by rain or blown away by wind. Forests also add organic matter to the soil through leaf litter and fallen trees, which improves soil fertility and water retention.

Water Quality: Forests have a significant impact on the quality of our water resources. Trees help to regulate the water cycle by intercepting rainfall, reducing runoff, and increasing groundwater recharge. This can help to prevent floods and droughts, and maintain a consistent supply of clean water. Additionally, forests act as natural filters, trapping sediment and pollutants before they can enter waterways and harm aquatic ecosystems.