10 Questions
What is the primary factor that influences climate changes on Earth?
The amount of energy that enters Earth's system compared to the amount of energy that exits.
What happens when more energy enters the Earth system than exits?
The climate warms.
What happens when less energy enters the Earth system than exits?
The climate cools.
What is the source of energy that enters the Earth system?
Light from the sun.
What is the result when the amount of energy entering the Earth system is equal to the amount of energy exiting?
The average temperature remains stable.
What has happened to Earth's climate during some periods in its history?
It has been much warmer than it is now.
What has happened to Earth's climate during other periods in its history?
It has been much cooler than it is now.
What is the current state of the global climate?
It is changing, with evidence showing that Earth is getting warmer.
What is the relationship between the amount of energy entering and exiting the Earth system and global average temperatures?
When the energy entering and exiting are in balance, temperatures remain stable, but when either one changes, temperatures also change.
What has been the impact of climate changes on Earth's history?
It may have led to the extinction of species, such as dinosaurs.
Study Notes
Snowball Earth
- During the Cryogenian Period, Earth's surface was an icy wasteland, nicknamed "Snowball Earth".
- The possibility of less energy entering the Earth's system than exiting it, or the energy exiting increasing, led to this cooling period.
- As ice formed, it reflected sunlight, causing more energy to leave the Earth's system, making temperatures even colder.
Causes of Cooling
- Scientists debate the causes of Snowball Earth, but agree that less energy entered the system than exited.
- This imbalance led to a cooling effect, resulting in more ice formation.
Past Climate Changes on Earth
Climate Changes in the Eocene Period
- About 56 million years ago, Earth's temperature rose suddenly, making it warm enough for alligators to live in the Arctic.
- The global average temperature was about 16°C (28.8°F) warmer than it is today.
- There were no ice caps, and the Arctic Ocean was warm enough for a pleasant swim.
Causes of Warming in the Eocene Period
- Scientists are still working to figure out what triggered extreme warming in the early Eocene Period.
- The increased temperature indicates that more energy was absorbed by Earth's surface during that time.
- The balance of energy entering and exiting the Earth system changed, with more energy entering the system than exiting.
Understanding Climate Change
- Earth's climate has changed throughout its 4.6 billion-year history, with periods of warming and cooling.
- Climate changes are related to the balance of energy entering and exiting the Earth's system.
- When energy entering and exiting are in balance, global average temperatures remain stable.
Explore the Cryogenian Period, a time when Earth's surface was a frozen wasteland. Learn about the possible causes of this extreme cooling and the ongoing debates among scientists. Discover the secrets of 'Snowball Earth' and its impact on our planet's climate.
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