Name three greenhouse gases.
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Name three greenhouse gases.
Three greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect refers to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorbing and trapping radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, causing warming.
Give the environmental effect of the increased amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The environmental effect of the increased amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is climate change / global warming.
What type of radiation from the sun gets absorbed and re-emitted as infrared by the Earth's surface? (Higher tier only)
The type of radiation from the sun which gets absorbed and re-emitted as infrared by the Earth's surface is long wavelength radiation / UV.
True or False?
All thermal energy from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth's surface.
False.
Some thermal energy from the Sun is re-emitted from the Earth's surface.
Describe the greenhouse effect in terms of short and long wavelength radiation. (Higher tier only)
The greenhouse effect in terms of short and long wavelength radiation is:
Short wavelength radiation (ultraviolet radiation) is emitted from the sun
Some of it is absorbed by the Earth's surface and some is re-emitted as long wavelength radiation (infrared radiation)
Much of the radiation is trapped inside the Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases
Give two human activities which release methane into the atmosphere.
Two human activities which are contributing to the release of methane are landfill sites and farming.
Give two human activities which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Two activities which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere are the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation.
True or False?
Increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause average global temperatures to increase.
True.
Increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cause average global temperatures to increase.
True or False?
Deforestation decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
False.
Deforestation increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Why is evidence for global climate change peer- reviewed by other scientists?
Evidence for global climate change peer- reviewed by other scientists to ensure that the results are valid.
Why is it hard to model climate change?
It is hard to model climate change because
It is a complex system
There are many variables involved
Describe the relationship that has been observed between the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the global average temperature.
The relationship observed is that as the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have increased, so has the average global temperature.
Why is it important peer review results of climate change studies are communicated to a wide range of audiences?
It is important that peer review results of climate change studies are communicated to a wide range of audiences to avoid speculation, bias and opinions on climate change in the media.
Define the term climate change.
Climate change is when there is a shift in worldwide weather patterns and conditions.
What causes climate change?
Climate change is caused by an increase in average global temperatures.
Give two effects of climate change.
Effects of climate change include:
flooding
sea levels rising
ice caps melting
forest fires
destruction of ecosystems
Define the term carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.
True or False?
The carbon footprint can be reduced by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and ammonia.
False.
The carbon footprint can be reduced by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.
Why is it difficult to reduce carbon dioxide emissions?
It is difficult to reduce carbon dioxide emissions because:
Governments are slow to act on these issues in fear of impacting the economy
Alternative technologies are still in the early stages of development
More work is needed to convince people to change their habits
True or False?
Carbon capture is an example of an industrial scale method to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
True.
Carbon capture is an example of an industrial scale method to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Give two ways that carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced.
Ways that carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced include:
Using renewable energy supplies
Recycling and reusing materials
Using public transport