Podcast
Questions and Answers
How does increased volcanic activity contribute to short-term climate change?
How does increased volcanic activity contribute to short-term climate change?
- By increasing Earth's albedo, causing more solar radiation to be absorbed.
- By decreasing the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface, leading to temporary cooling. (correct)
- By absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse effect.
- By releasing large amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect.
Which of the following is the most accurate description of how greenhouse gases cause climate change and rising sea levels?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of how greenhouse gases cause climate change and rising sea levels?
- Greenhouse gases block incoming solar radiation, cooling the earth and leading to melting glaciers.
- Greenhouse gases increase the rate of evaporation, leading to changes in ocean salinity and density.
- Greenhouse gases reflect infrared radiation back to Earth, trapping heat and leading to melting ice and thermal expansion of water. (correct)
- Greenhouse gases absorb incoming solar radiation, heating the atmosphere and causing thermal expansion of the ocean.
How do greenhouse gases and non-greenhouse gases differ in their interaction with energy in Earth's atmosphere?
How do greenhouse gases and non-greenhouse gases differ in their interaction with energy in Earth's atmosphere?
- Greenhouse gases absorb both visible light and infrared radiation, while non-greenhouse gases reflect both.
- Greenhouse gases reflect both visible light and infrared radiation, while non-greenhouse gases absorb both.
- Greenhouse gases primarily absorb visible light, while non-greenhouse gases primarily absorb infrared radiation.
- Greenhouse gases allow visible light to pass through but absorb infrared radiation, while non-greenhouse gases allow both to pass through. (correct)
What best describes how the microbead solution would work to reduce ice melt?
What best describes how the microbead solution would work to reduce ice melt?
How would the berm solution work to reduce ice melt?
How would the berm solution work to reduce ice melt?
Consider two surfaces, one with high albedo and one with low albedo, exposed to the same amount of solar radiation. What difference will most likely occur?
Consider two surfaces, one with high albedo and one with low albedo, exposed to the same amount of solar radiation. What difference will most likely occur?
If light strikes a clear pane of glass, which interaction with matter is most likely to occur?
If light strikes a clear pane of glass, which interaction with matter is most likely to occur?
How does temperature and salinity influence water density, and how does this relate to the bottom of the Illulisat Glacier?
How does temperature and salinity influence water density, and how does this relate to the bottom of the Illulisat Glacier?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of a climate tipping point?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of a climate tipping point?
How does the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) help to control climate, and what would happen if it 'tipped'?
How does the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) help to control climate, and what would happen if it 'tipped'?
Flashcards
Energy transfer & Phase Changes
Energy transfer & Phase Changes
Energy transfer involves the movement of energy, which affects temperature and particle motion; phase changes occur with sufficient energy gain or loss.
Natural Climate Change Causes
Natural Climate Change Causes
Milankovitch cycles (changes in Earth's orbit), volcanic activity (ash blocking sunlight), solar cycles (variations in solar radiation), and carbon dioxide fluctuations.
Greenhouse Gases & Sea Level Rise
Greenhouse Gases & Sea Level Rise
Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation, warming the atmosphere, which in turn warms the ocean, leading to thermal expansion and melting ice, both contributing to rising sea levels.
Atmospheric Gases & Energy
Atmospheric Gases & Energy
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Microbead Solution
Microbead Solution
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Berm Solution
Berm Solution
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Albedo's Effect on Temperature
Albedo's Effect on Temperature
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Light Interactions with Matter
Light Interactions with Matter
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Temperature, Salinity & Density
Temperature, Salinity & Density
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Climate Tipping Points
Climate Tipping Points
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Study Notes
- Study notes on energy transfer, climate change, and Earth systems.
Energy Transfer, Temperature, Particle Motion, and Phase Changes
- Energy transfer directly influences temperature; adding energy increases temperature, while removing energy decreases it.
- Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles within a substance.
- Increased temperature means faster particle motion.
- Phase changes (solid, liquid, gas) occur as energy is added/removed, altering particle arrangement and movement.
Natural Causes of Climate Change
- Milankovitch cycles are variations in Earth's orbit and tilt, affecting solar radiation distribution.
- Volcanic activity releases aerosols and gases that can temporarily cool or warm the climate.
- Solar cycles involve changes in the Sun's energy output, influencing Earth's temperature.
- Fluctuations in carbon dioxide levels affect the greenhouse effect, causing climate shifts.
Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change
- Greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane) trap heat in the atmosphere.
- They absorb infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface, preventing its escape into space.
- This trapped heat warms the atmosphere, causing climate change and contributing to rising sea levels through thermal expansion and ice melt.
Interaction of Gases and Energy
- Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation.
- Non-greenhouse gases (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen) are largely transparent to both visible light and infrared radiation.
Microbead Solution for Ice Melt Reduction
- The microbead solution involves spreading reflective beads on ice surfaces to increase albedo.
- Increased albedo reflects more sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of solar energy absorbed by the ice.
- This would slow down ice melt, helping to preserve ice sheets and glaciers.
Berm Solution for Ice Melt Reduction
- The berm solution involves constructing barriers or berms along coastlines or around glaciers.
- Berms can help stabilize glaciers, and prevent ice melt into the ocean.
Albedo and Temperature
- Albedo is the measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed.
- High-albedo surfaces (e.g., ice, snow) reflect a large portion of incoming solar radiation, resulting in lower temperatures.
- Low-albedo surfaces (e.g., forests, oceans) absorb more solar radiation, leading to higher temperatures.
Light Interaction with Matter
- Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface.
- Absorption happens when light energy is taken in by an object, converting it into heat.
- Transmission is when light passes through a substance.
- Reradiation is the emission of absorbed energy as infrared radiation.
Temperature, Salinity, and Water Density
- Higher temperature decreases water density.
- Higher salinity increases water density.
- Warmer water is less dense and typically sits at the top of the water column, however the Illulisat glacier is an exception.
- The Illulisat glacier has warmer water at the bottom because of geothermal vents and deep ocean currents.
Climate Tipping Points
- Climate tipping points are thresholds beyond which significant and irreversible changes occur in the climate system.
- Ice sheet collapse, rainforest dieback, and AMOC shutdown are examples.
Earth Systems Controlling Climate
- Ice sheets: High albedo cools the planet; melting reduces albedo, accelerating warming.
- Rainforest: Absorb CO2; deforestation reduces CO2 absorption, contributing to warming and changes in precipitation patterns.
- AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation): Transports heat; shutdown would cause cooling in Europe and North America, and disrupt global weather patterns.
Skills to Practice
- Interpret/analyze or create energy transfer models
- Interpret and analyze models diagrams
- Use or create models or diagrams to explain phenomena
- Calculate sea level rise (all necessary formulas will be provided)
- Write a scientific explanation in CER form (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)
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