1) What would happen to Earth's temperature if the energy absorbed from the sun (solar radiation) was less than the emitted (thermal) energy leaving the Earth? (2)
2) Why is the tropical climate warmer than the climate at the north and south poles? (2)
3) In the tropics, the absorbed solar energy is greater than the emitted thermal radiation lost to space. The reverse is true at the poles. What stops the tropics getting hotter and hotter and the poles getting colder and colder? (2)
4) What factors influence the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere, thereby producing our weather? (3)
5) What are greenhouse gases? Give three examples (5)
6) What would the theoretical global average temperature be without the greenhouse effect? (2)
7) What effect does an increase in greenhouse gas concentration have on the energy budget of the Earth? (2)
8) Sea ice is highly reflective and causes less solar radiation to be absorbed compared to the darker ocean. Sea ice is likely to become less extensive as temperatures warm. Based on these considerations, will the effects of sea ice enhance warming or warming due to increased greenhouse gases? What is this process termed? (2)
9) List three factors that can cause climate to change. (3)
10) What is the pre-industrial concentration of carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm)? What (approximately) is the current concentration? (2)
11) Why is the future climate response to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations uncertain? (3)
12) Will clouds enhance or diminish the warming due to future increases in greenhouse gases? (2)
please help
1) If the energy absorbed from the sun (solar radiation) was less than the emitted (thermal) energy leaving the Earth, it would result in a cooling of the Earth's temperature.
2) The tropical climate is warmer than the climate at the north and south poles due to several reasons. Firstly, the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface is more direct near the equator, resulting in more concentrated solar energy. Secondly, the equatorial regions receive more solar radiation throughout the year due to the Earth's tilt and the curvature of its orbit. Thirdly, the circulation patterns of the atmosphere and ocean, such as trade winds and ocean currents, help distribute heat towards the equator and away from the poles.
3) Despite the greater absorbed solar energy in the tropics and lesser thermal radiation loss at the poles, several factors prevent the tropics from getting excessively hotter and the poles from getting colder. These factors include atmospheric convection and cloud formation, which help regulate temperature by transferring heat vertically and horizontally. Additionally, the Earth's rotation and the distribution of land and water play a role in creating temperature contrasts and driving atmospheric circulation.
4) The circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and the resulting weather are influenced by multiple factors, including temperature gradients, pressure systems, ocean currents, topography, and the rotation of the Earth. These factors interact to create patterns of high and low pressure, which lead to the formation of wind systems, storms, and other weather phenomena.
5) Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that can trap heat from the sun and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to a warming of the Earth's surface. Three examples of greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O).
6) The theoretical global average temperature without the greenhouse effect would be much colder, estimated to be around -18°C (0°F).
7) An increase in greenhouse gas concentration affects the energy budget of the Earth by enhancing the greenhouse effect. This leads to increased absorption of thermal radiation from the Earth's surface and a subsequent warming of the atmosphere. This can result in changes to global climate patterns.
8) Due to the reflective nature of sea ice, its reduction leads to less sunlight being reflected back into space and more being absorbed by the darker ocean. This process, known as the ice-albedo feedback, enhances warming due to increased greenhouse gases.
9) Three factors that can cause climate to change include variations in solar radiation, volcanic activity, and changes in greenhouse gas concentrations.
10) The pre-industrial concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in parts per million (ppm) was approximately 280 ppm. The current concentration is around 415 ppm, as of 2021.
11) The future climate response to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations is uncertain due to several factors. These include potential feedback mechanisms within the Earth's climate system, uncertainties in future emissions scenarios, and the complexity of climate models' representation of natural and human-induced factors.
12) Clouds can have both enhancing and diminishing effects on the warming due to future increases in greenhouse gases. Low-level clouds (stratus) tend to enhance cooling by reflecting sunlight back into space, while high-level clouds (cirrus) can enhance warming by trapping outgoing thermal radiation. The net effect of clouds on future warming is still an area of ongoing research and is a source of uncertainty in climate projections.
1) If the energy absorbed from the sun is less than the emitted energy leaving the Earth, it means that there is a net loss of energy from the Earth's atmosphere. As a result, Earth's temperature would gradually decrease over time.
To get the answer, you need to understand the concept of Earth's energy balance. The Earth receives energy from the sun in the form of solar radiation. This energy is absorbed by the atmosphere, land, and oceans. In turn, the Earth emits thermal energy back into space in the form of thermal radiation. The balance between the incoming solar radiation and outgoing thermal radiation determines the temperature of the Earth. When more solar radiation is absorbed than emitted, the Earth's temperature increases, and vice versa.
2) The tropical climate is warmer than the climate at the poles mainly due to variations in the Sun's angle of incidence. The Sun's energy is more concentrated near the equator as the Sun's rays strike the Earth's surface directly. In contrast, at the poles, the Sun's rays are spread over a larger area, leading to less intense heating.
To understand this, you need to know that the Earth is tilted on its axis, causing the Sun's rays to hit different latitudes at different angles. Near the equator, the Sun's rays are nearly perpendicular, resulting in a higher concentration of energy per unit area. The tilt also contributes to the longer daylight hours in the tropics, allowing for more heating compared to the shorter days at the poles.
3) The reason the tropics do not keep getting hotter and the poles do not keep getting colder is mainly due to the Earth's atmospheric circulation and heat redistribution.
In the tropics, where the absorbed solar energy is greater than the emitted thermal radiation lost to space, excess heat is transported from the tropics towards higher latitudes through atmospheric and oceanic circulation. This process helps distribute heat away from the tropics, preventing continuous heating.
At the poles, where the absorbed solar energy is less than the emitted thermal radiation lost to space, heat is transported towards the equator by ocean currents and the atmospheric circulation. This process helps balance the heat distribution on Earth.
4) Several factors influence the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and thus produce weather. Three key factors include:
a) Temperature gradients: Differences in temperature between various regions of the Earth drive atmospheric circulation. Warm air tends to rise, creating areas of low pressure, while cooler air sinks, creating areas of high pressure. These pressure differences lead to the formation of pressure systems and wind patterns.
b) Coriolis effect: The rotation of the Earth causes moving air masses to be deflected, creating the Coriolis effect. This effect causes winds to curve instead of moving in straight lines, contributing to the circulation patterns.
c) Land and sea distribution: The varying heating characteristics of land and water influence the formation of localized weather patterns. Land heats and cools more quickly than water, leading to the development of temperature gradients that affect wind patterns and precipitation.
Understanding these factors can help explain how the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere contributes to the production of weather patterns.
5) Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat near the Earth's surface and thus influencing the climate. Three examples of greenhouse gases include:
a) Carbon dioxide (CO2): It is released through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities.
b) Methane (CH4): It is emitted from various sources, including agriculture, livestock, and natural gas production.
c) Nitrous oxide (N2O): It is released from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as the combustion of fossil fuels.
These greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere.
6) The theoretical global average temperature without the greenhouse effect would be significantly colder than the actual global average temperature. Without greenhouse gases, the Earth would lose more energy back into space, resulting in a much lower temperature on Earth's surface.
To determine the answer, you need to understand the role of greenhouse gases in trapping heat. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping into space, thus keeping the Earth warmer than it would be without them.
7) An increase in greenhouse gas concentration has a significant impact on the energy budget of the Earth. More greenhouse gases lead to increased trapping of thermal radiation, causing a warmer atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the enhanced greenhouse effect.
To understand this, consider that the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere increases their ability to absorb and re-emit thermal radiation. As a result, more heat is retained in the Earth's system, leading to a warming effect.
8) The effects of sea ice on warming due to increased greenhouse gases are expected to enhance the warming process. As temperatures warm, the sea ice is likely to become less extensive, exposing more dark ocean surfaces. Darker surfaces absorb more solar radiation compared to the reflective nature of sea ice, leading to increased heating.
This process is termed the positive feedback mechanism. As the climate warms, the reduction in sea ice leads to more absorption of solar radiation, further warming the climate. This feedback mechanism amplifies the initial warming caused by increased greenhouse gases.
9) Three factors that can cause climate to change include:
a) Solar variation: Changes in the Sun's energy output can influence the Earth's climate. Variations in solar radiation due to factors like sunspots and solar cycles can affect the amount of energy the Earth receives.
b) Volcanic eruptions: Large volcanic eruptions can release significant amounts of gases, aerosols, and ash into the atmosphere, which can alter the Earth's energy balance by scattering sunlight and cooling the atmosphere.
c) Human activities: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect and can lead to climate change.
Understanding these factors can help explain the various drivers of climate change.
10) The pre-industrial concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in parts per million (ppm) was approximately 280 ppm. The current concentration of CO2 is around 415 ppm.
To determine these values, you need to refer to scientific records and studies that have measured the historical and current levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.
11) The future climate response to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations is uncertain due to several factors:
a) Complex feedback mechanisms: Climate is influenced by various feedback loops, where changes in one component of the climate system can influence others. These feedback mechanisms can amplify or dampen the effects of greenhouse gases and lead to different climate responses.
b) Uncertainty in climate models: Climate models simulate Earth's climate system based on various assumptions and inputs. These models have inherent uncertainties due to imperfect knowledge of the climate system, limited data, and challenges in accurately representing complex processes.
c) Future emissions scenarios: The future trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions depends on a variety of socioeconomic, technological, and policy-related factors. The level of emissions will significantly influence the future climate response.
Understanding these sources of uncertainty highlights the complex nature of predicting the exact future climate response to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.
12) The effect of clouds on future warming due to increased greenhouse gases is still uncertain. They have the potential to both enhance and diminish warming.
Clouds can act as a positive feedback mechanism, as some types of clouds trap heat, contributing to additional warming. This occurs when clouds have a net warming effect by trapping thermal radiation emitted by the Earth.
However, clouds can also have a cooling effect as they reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. This cooling effect occurs when clouds reflect more solar radiation than they trap thermal radiation.
The exact impact of clouds on future warming depends on various factors, including cloud type, altitude, and coverage. Current climate models have challenges in accurately representing cloud dynamics and their feedback effects, contributing to the uncertainty in predicting future climate response.