Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability 1

number of resource users. In other words, we learn tolive more sustainably by heeding the lessons from naturerevealed by the law of conservation of mass andthe two laws of thermodynamics.The next five chapters apply the three basic scientificlaws of matter and thermodynamics to living systemsand look at some biological principles that can alsoteach us how to live more sustainably by working withnature.The second law of thermodynamics holds, I think, thesupreme position among laws of nature. . . . If your theory isfound to be against the second law of thermodynamics, I cangive you no hope.ARTHUR S. EDDINGTONCRITICAL THINKING1. Respond to the following statements:a. Scientists have not absolutely proven that anyonehas ever died from smoking cigarettes.b. The greenhouse theory—that certain gases (such aswater vapor and carbon dioxide) warm the atmosphere—isnot a reliable idea because it is only ascientific theory.2. See whether you can find an advertisement or an articledescribing some aspect of science in which (a) theconcept of scientific proof is misused, (b) the term theoryis used when it should have been hypothesis, and (c) aconsensus scientific finding is dismissed or downplayedbecause it is “only a theory” or is not viewed as soundscience.3. How does a scientific law (such as the law of conservationof matter) differ from a societal law (such as maximumspeed limits for vehicles)? Can each be broken?Explain.4. Atree grows and increases its mass. Explain why thisis not a violation of the law of conservation of matter5. If there is no “away,” why is the world not filled withwaste matter?6. Methane (CH 4 ) gas is the major component ofnatural gas. Write and balance the chemical equationfor the burning of methane when it combines with oxygengas in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide andwater.7. Suppose you have 100 grams of radioactive plutonium-239with a half-life of 24,000 years. How manygrams of plutonium-239 will remain after (a) 12,000years, (b) 24,000 years, and (c) 96,000 years?8. Someone wants you to invest money in an automobileengine that will produce more energy than the energy inthe fuel (such as gasoline or electricity) you use to run themotor. What is your response? Explain.9. Use the second law of thermodynamics to explainwhy a barrel of oil can be used only once as a fuel.PROJECTS1. Use the library or Internet to find an example of junkscience and explain why it is junk science. Compare yourfindings with those of your classmates.2. (a) List two examples of negative feedback loops notdiscussed in this chapter, one that is beneficial and onethat is detrimental. Compare your examples with thoseof your classmates. (b) Give two examples of positivefeedback loops not discussed in this chapter. Include onethat is beneficial and one that is detrimental. Compareyour examples with those of your classmates.3. If you have the use of a sensitive balance, try todemonstrate the law of conservation of mass in a physicalchange. Weigh a container with a lid (a glass jar willdo), add an ice cube and weigh it again, and then allowthe ice to melt and weigh it again. Explain how your resultsobey the law of conservation of matter.4. Use the library or Internet to find examples of variousperpetual motion machines and inventions that allegedlyviolate the two laws of thermodynamics by producingmore high-quality energy than the high-quality energyneeded to make them run. What has happened to theseschemes and machines—many of them developed byscam artists to attract money from investors?5. Use the library or the Internet to find bibliographic informationabout Warren Weaver and Arthur S. Eddington,whose quotes appear at the beginning and end of thischapter.6. Make a concept map of this chapter’s major ideas usingthe section heads, subheads, and key terms (in boldface).Look on the website for this book for informationabout making concept maps.LEARNING ONLINEThe website for this book contains study aids and manyideas for further reading and research. They include achapter summary, review questions for the entire chapter,flash cards for key terms and concepts, a multiple-choicepractice quiz, interesting Internet sites, references, and aguide for accessing thousands of InfoTrac ® CollegeEdition articles. Log on tohttp://biology.brookscole.com/miller14Then click on the Chapter-by-Chapter area, choose Chapter3, and select a learning resource.ConnectionsWhat Is Harming the Robins?54 CHAPTER 3 Science, Systems, Matter, and Energy