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Questions and Answers
How does the enhanced greenhouse effect, caused by human activities, primarily differ from the natural greenhouse effect?
How does the enhanced greenhouse effect, caused by human activities, primarily differ from the natural greenhouse effect?
- It traps additional heat in the atmosphere due to increased concentrations of anthropogenic greenhouse gases. (correct)
- It only affects polar regions, while the natural greenhouse effect impacts the entire globe.
- It involves a completely different set of gases than the natural greenhouse effect.
- It results in a decrease of the Earth's average temperature, while the natural effect increases it.
If a dark, rough surface and a light, smooth surface receive the same amount of solar radiation, what key difference will determine which surface heats up more quickly?
If a dark, rough surface and a light, smooth surface receive the same amount of solar radiation, what key difference will determine which surface heats up more quickly?
- The light, smooth surface emits more infrared radiation.
- The dark, rough surface conducts heat away from the surface more efficiently.
- The light, smooth surface has higher reflectivity and lower absorptivity.
- The dark, rough surface has lower reflectivity and higher absorptivity. (correct)
How does ionizing electromagnetic radiation differ fundamentally from non-ionizing radiation in terms of its interaction with matter?
How does ionizing electromagnetic radiation differ fundamentally from non-ionizing radiation in terms of its interaction with matter?
- Non-ionizing radiation can cause atoms to become ions
- Ionizing radiation carries enough energy to remove electrons from atoms or molecules, while non-ionizing radiation does not. (correct)
- Non-ionizing radiation is more harmful to biological organisms than ionizing radiation.
- Ionizing radiation has longer wavelengths and lower frequencies than non-ionizing radiation.
In the context of Earth's climate, how does the energy budget differ from the concept of wavelength transformation?
In the context of Earth's climate, how does the energy budget differ from the concept of wavelength transformation?
What is a key distinction between anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) and naturally occurring GHGs in terms of their impact on climate change?
What is a key distinction between anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) and naturally occurring GHGs in terms of their impact on climate change?
Flashcards
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The warming of Earth's surface due to gases trapping heat, intensified by human activities.
Albedo
Albedo
The fraction of solar energy reflected by a surface.
Anthropogenic GHGs
Anthropogenic GHGs
Gases released by human activities that trap heat in the atmosphere.
Feedback Loop
Feedback Loop
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Convection
Convection
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Study Notes
- The natural greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining Earth's temperature, while the enhanced greenhouse effect refers to the increase in this effect due to human activities.
Reflectivity vs Absorptivity
- Reflectivity is the measure of how much electromagnetic radiation is reflected by a surface, whereas absorptivity reflects how much is absorbed.
- High reflectivity surfaces include snow and ice, which reflect a large portion of solar radiation back into space.
- High absorptivity surfaces include dark soil and asphalt, which absorb a large portion.
Ionizing vs Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation
- Ionizing electromagnetic radiation carries enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules.
- Examples of ionizing radiation include X-rays and gamma rays.
- Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to remove electrons.
- Examples of non-ionizing radiation include visible light and radio waves.
Energy Budget vs Wavelength Transformation
- Energy budget refers to the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing radiation from Earth.
- Wavelength transformation refers to the change in wavelength of electromagnetic radiation when it is absorbed and re-emitted by a substance.
- Earth absorbs shortwave solar radiation and re-emits it as longwave infrared radiation
Anthropogenic GHGs vs Natural GHGs
- Anthropogenic GHGs are greenhouse gasses produced by human activities.
- Examples include carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels and methane from agriculture.
- Natural GHGs are greenhouse gasses that occur naturally in the atmosphere.
- Examples include water vapor and carbon dioxide from volcanic eruptions.
Feedback Loop vs Albedo
- Feedback loop is a process where the output of a system influences its input, creating a cycle.
- Positive feedback loops amplify the initial change.
- Example of positive feedback is the ice-albedo feedback, where melting ice reduces albedo, leading to further warming and melting.
- Albedo is the measure of how much solar radiation is reflected by a surface.
Convection vs Conduction
- Convection involves heat transfer through the movement of fluids (liquids or gasses).
- An example of convection is the rising of warm air and sinking of cool air in the atmosphere.
- Conduction involves heat transfer through direct contact between substances.
- An example of conduction is heat transfer from a hot stove to a pot.
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Description
Explore the natural and enhanced greenhouse effects. Understand reflectivity versus absorptivity of surfaces like snow, ice, soil, and asphalt. Learn about ionizing versus non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and earth's energy budget.
