ESR: Study Guide 📚

Earth Systems and Resources Study Guide

This study guide will help you study for the module exam by highlighting the most important concepts on the exam. It is not a definitive list of every topic that could appear on the exam and should not be used in lieu of the textbook and course content.

 

🚨 Do not begin your test until you have completed all self-assessments, assignments, and the review items and feel confident in your understanding of this material.

Plate Tectonics 🌋 (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ERT-4.A.1 - Convergent boundaries can result in the creation of mountains, island arcs, earthquakes, and volcanoes. 
          • ERT-4.A.2 - Divergent boundaries can result in seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes. 
          • ERT-4.A.3 - Transform boundaries can result in earthquakes. 
          • ERT-4.A.4 - Maps that show the global distribution of plate boundaries can be used to determine the location of volcanoes, island arcs, earthquakes, hot spots, and faults. 
          • ERT-4.A.5 - An earthquake occurs when stress overcomes a locked fault, releasing stored energy.  

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          • Identify divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries. 
          • Describe...
            • the geological changes and events that occur at convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries. 
            • how geological processes shape the Earth's landscape over time.
          • Explain the relationship between plate boundaries and the types of geological features formed, including mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes. 

 

Soil Formation and Composition 🌿 (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ERT-4.B.1 - Soils are formed when parent material is weathered, transported, and deposited. 
          • ERT-4.B.2 - Soils are generally categorized by horizons based on their composition and organic material. 
          • ERT-4.B.3 - Soils can be eroded by winds or water. Protecting soils can protect water quality as soils effectively filter and clean water that moves through them. 
          • ERT-4.C.1 - Water holding capacity—the total amount of water soil can hold—varies with different soil types. Water retention contributes to land productivity and fertility of soils. 
          • ERT-4.C.2 - The particle size and composition of each soil horizon can affect the porosity, permeability, and fertility of the soil. 
          • ERT-4.C.3 - There are a variety of methods to test the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil that can aid in a variety of decisions, such as irrigation and fertilizer requirements. 
          • ERT-4.C.4 - A soil texture triangle is a diagram that allows for the identification and comparison of soil types based on their percentage of clay, silt, and sand. 

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          • Identify...
            • the type of soil that has 25% clay, 50% sand, and 25% silt.
            • basic properties of each type of soil (will it drain well? etc...).
            • the soil particles from smallest to largest. 
            • the major factors contributing to soil erosion.
            • the soil horizons.
            • which horizon is the most nutrient-rich.
          • Describe...
            • how the size of the soil particle influences the water-holding capacity of the soil.
            • what is needed for soil to be fertile and productive.
            • how the size of the soil particle influences the porosity, permeability, and fertility of the soil.
            • the importance of soil texture in relation to water retention and drainage.
            • the relationship between soil composition and the availability of nutrients for plants.
            • the different types of soil and their significance in supporting plant life.
            • how to prevent soil erosion.
            • the characteristics and formation of soil. 
            • similarities and differences between properties of different soil types. 
            • the characteristics of each soil horizon.
            • the different types of erosion.
            • how soil management practices influence the health of water resources in a watershed.
          • Explain...
            • how the soil type affects the fertility of the soil and what can be grown there.
            • how the size of the soil particle influences the water-holding capacity of the soil.
            • what a soil test result can tell you about the health of the soil and what can be grown.
            • how soil composition impacts plant growth and agriculture.
            • the concept of soil pH and its significance in determining the types of plants that can thrive in a particular soil.
            • how human activity affects soil pH.
            • the concept of soil erosion and its consequences for ecosystems and human activities. 
            • ways to reduce soil erosion.
            • the process of soil formation and the factors that contribute to the development of different soil horizons. 
            • how climate plays a role in soil formation.
            • the connection between soil composition and water quality. 
          • Justify...
            • why soil is such an important resource.
            • how soil testing be used to optimize agricultural practices.
            • the impact of human activities on soil erosion and degradation. 
          • Know how to use a soil texture triangle. 

 

Earth's Atmosphere 🌦️ (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ERT-4.D.1 - The atmosphere is made up of major gases, each with its own relative abundance. 
          • ERT-4.D.2 - The layers of the atmosphere are based on temperature gradients and include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. 

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          • Identify...
            • the characteristics of Earth's atmosphere.
            • the two major atmospheric gases (in the troposphere) and the roles they play.
            • the concept of atmospheric pressure and its variations at different altitudes.
          • Describe...
            • the structure and composition of the Earth's atmosphere. 
            • how the atmosphere moderates Earth's temperature.
            • the layers of Earth's atmosphere and their significance in regulating climate and weather patterns. 
            • how nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide contribute to the greenhouse effect.
            • how the ozone layer is affected by human activities.
            • how convection currents contribute to temperature distribution.
          • Explain...
            • the composition of Earth's atmosphere and the role of major gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. 
            • the importance of the ozone layer in protecting life on Earth. 
            • how atmospheric pressure influences weather patterns and climate.
            • the role of the atmosphere in regulating temperature on Earth. 

 

Global Wind Patterns 💨 (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

            • ERT-4.E.1 - Global wind patterns primarily result from the most intense solar radiation arriving at the equator, resulting in density differences and the Coriolis effect. 

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          • Explain...
            • how environmental factors can result in atmospheric circulation. 
            • the relationship between atmospheric pressure and wind movement. 
            • the significance of the Trade Winds, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies in shaping atmospheric circulation.
            • why more solar radiation of all wavelengths comes into the exosphere than reaches Earth's surface.
            • how the movement of air masses affects rainfall in different regions.
            • how winds influence the movement of surface waters, and the role ocean currents play in regulating climate.
          • Describe...
            • how wind belts contribute to global climate patterns.
            • the factors that contribute to the formation of global wind patterns, including the Coriolis effect and the uneven heating of Earth's surface and how these factors influence wind direction and intensity.
            • the role of atmospheric circulation in shaping precipitation patterns on Earth. 
            • the connection between global wind patterns and the distribution of precipitation around the world.
            • how global wind patterns influence climate zones around the world.
          • Justify the impact of global wind patterns on ocean currents. 

 

Watersheds 🌊 (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ERT-4.F - Characteristics of a given watershed include its area, length, slope, soil, vegetation types, and divides with adjoining watersheds. 

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          • Explain...
            • the steps and reservoir interactions in the hydrologic cycle. 
            • the environmental importance of solid water floating.
            • the importance of water's high specific heat.
            • the relationship between watersheds and water quality in a given region.
            • the impact of land use changes on watersheds.
          • Draw a basic water cycle. 
          • Describe...
            • human impacts on the water cycle.
            • the characteristics of a watershed. 
          • Identify...
            • the reservoirs in the water cycle.
            • the three phases of water.
            • most of the water is located on Earth.
          • Justify how urbanization, deforestation, and agriculture affect the health and resilience of a watershed.

 

Solar Radiation ☀️ (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ENG-2.A.1 - Incoming solar radiation (insolation) is the Earth's main source of energy and is dependent on season and latitude. 
          • ENG-2.A.2 - The angle of the sun's rays determines the intensity of the solar radiation. Due to the shape of the Earth, the latitude that is directly horizontal to the solar radiation receives the most intensity. 
          • ENG-2.A.3 - The highest solar radiation per unit area is received at the equator and decreases toward the poles. 
          • ENG-2.A.4 - The solar radiation received at a location on the Earth's surface varies seasonally, with the most radiation received during the location's longest summer day and the least on the shortest winter day. 
          • ENG-2.A.5 - The tilt of Earth's axis of rotation causes the Earth's seasons and the number of hours of daylight in a particular location on the Earth's surface.

Check For Understanding Banner

          • Identify the factors that contribute to the changing seasons on Earth.
          • Explain...
            • how the sun's energy affects the Earth's surface. 
            • the process of solar radiation reaching Earth and how it varies with latitude.
            • the impact of solar radiation on the distribution of temperature across different climate zones.
            • the connection between solar radiation and the formation of climate belts. 
            • the phenomenon of solstices and equinoxes in relation to Earth's axial tilt.
            • how solstices and equinoxes mark key points in the annual cycle of seasons and their effects on day length and sunlight intensity. 
          • Describe...
            • the factors that contribute to the change of seasons on Earth. 
            • how the angle of sunlight influences temperature and climate patterns on Earth.
            • how the uneven heating of Earth's surface contributes to the formation of deserts, polar regions, and temperate zones. 
            • how the angle of sunlight influences temperature and climate patterns on Earth. 
            • how the tilt of Earth's axis and its orbit around the sun results in seasonal variations.

 

Earth's Geography and Climate 🌎 (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ENG-2.B.1 - Weather and climate are affected not only by the sun's energy but also by geologic and geographic factors, such as mountains and ocean temperature. 
          • ENG-2.B.2 - A rain shadow is a region of land that has become drier because a higher elevation area blocks precipitation from reaching the land. 

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          • Describe...
            • the characteristics of tropical rainforests and their importance in the global climate system. 
            • the connection between geography and climate, considering how location affects climate characteristics. 
            • how the position of a location relative to the equator influences temperature, precipitation, and climate.
          • Explain...
            • the concept of the greenhouse effect and its role in maintaining Earth's temperature. 
            • the role of oceans in regulating Earth's temperature and climate through ocean currents. 
            • the factors that contribute to the formation of deserts and their distribution on Earth. 
            • the role of ocean currents in redistributing heat around the planet. 
            • the role of latitude in determining climate characteristics. 

 

El Niño and La Niña ☔️ (click to reveal)

Essential Knowledge Banner

          • ENG-2.C.1 - El Niño and La Niña are phenomena associated with changing ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. These phenomena can cause global changes in rainfall, wind, and ocean circulation patterns. 
          • ENG-2.C.2 - El Niño and La Niña are influenced by geological and geographic factors and can affect different locations in different ways. 

Check For Understanding Banner

          • Identify the key differences in oceanic and atmospheric conditions during La Niña and El Niño, and how these differences result in opposite effects on climate.
          • Explain...
            • the processes and conditions associated with El Niño events. 
            • how these phenomena influence global weather patterns, including temperature, precipitation, and storm frequency.
            • the contrast between El Niño and La Niña events.
          • Describe...
            • the impacts of El Niño on ecosystems, agriculture, and human societies.
            • examples of regions that are particularly affected by El Niño events and the associated challenges.  
            • the role of ocean temperatures and currents in driving El Niño and La Niña phenomena.
            • how variations in sea surface temperatures contribute to the development of these climate patterns.

 

 

Multiple-Choice 📝

  • You will only be graded on what is submitted in Canvas.
  • There are four choices for each question. Choose the best answer.
  • On the actual AP exam, you will have 90 minutes to answer 80 questions. On this test, you will have 65 minutes to answer the questions on your test.

 

Free-Response 📝

  • You will only be graded on what is submitted in Canvas.
  • You can write your answers and upload them to Canvas OR write them directly in Canvas
    • NOTE: if you are uploading your answers to Canvas, you are responsible for uploading your answers within the time frame allowed for the free-response test. You will not get extra time if your document does not upload in time.
  • On this exam, you will have 35 minutes to answer your Free Response question. On the real AP exam, you should plan for about 22.5 minutes per FRQ.

 

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