AP®︎ Environmental Science Unit 4: Notes & Study Guide
Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 4 of AP Environmental Science – Earth Systems and Resources.
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
This unit investigates Earth’s physical systems, including plate tectonics, soil formation, climate, and atmospheric circulation patterns.
Begin with Topic 4.1: Plate TectonicsTo review Unit 4, go through each of the 9 topics below.
Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 4 test, pulled directly from the AP® Environmental Science curriculum.
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
- What Plate Tectonics Is
- What Each Plate Boundary Produces
- How Earthquakes Happen
Soil Formation and Erosion
Soil Formation and Erosion
- What Soil Is and How It Forms
- What Controls Soil Development
- Soil Horizons and the Soil Profile
Soil Composition and Properties
Soil Composition and Properties
- What Soil Is and Why Composition Controls Its Properties
- Soil Texture and the Main Soil Types
- How Soil Properties Affect Water and Fertility
Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth’s Atmosphere
- What Earth’s Atmosphere Is
- Atmospheric Composition
- The Atmospheric Layers
Global Wind Patterns
Global Wind Patterns
- What Global Wind Patterns Are
- The Pressure Belts, Convection Cells, and Wind Belts
- How Atmospheric Circulation Happens
Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons
Solar Radiation and Earth’s Seasons
- What Insolation Is
- Why Latitude Changes Solar Intensity
- How Earth’s Tilt Causes the Seasons
Earth’s Geography and Climate
Earth’s Geography and Climate
- What Geographic Controls on Climate Are
- Mountains, Elevation, and Rain Shadows
- How the Rain Shadow Effect Works
El Niño and La Niña
El Niño and La Niña
- What ENSO Is
- Neutral, El Niño, and La Niña Side by Side
- How ENSO Changes Ocean and Weather Patterns
Notes
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