OCN CH 16 HW

How long is the cycle of obliquity for Earth's orbit?

41,000 years

What happens to the energy that the ground absorbs in the form of visible sunlight?

It is returned upward in the form of infrared light.

On a cloudless day, what happens to most of the visible light headed toward Earth?

It reaches Earth's surface, where some is reflected and some is absorbed.

As sea ice melts and becomes liquid water, __________ heat is then absorbed from the Sun, creating warmer surface waters.

more

For which of the scales shown in Step 3 is the increase in CO2 concentrations less than 10%?

none of the scales

Assuming that increasing CO2 concentrations are directly linked to increased surface temperatures, which scenario should result in a reduction of temperatures to below their 1960-1990 averages by 2040?

none of the scenarios

What is precession in Earth's orbit?

change in the orientation of Earth's axis

Which of the following could be a direct result of the cycles of eccentricity, obliquity, and precession on Earth?

climate change

The minimum area of Arctic sea ice cover has been __________ as air and water temperatures have been __________ over the past several decades.

decreasing; increasing

Arctic sea ice naturally __________ during the dark, cold winters and __________ during the spring and summer.

expands; contracts

Assume that you wanted to give the impression that, although CO2 levels have indeed increased over the past 50 years, they have not had a significant impact on average surface temperatures. Which of the scales shown in Step 3 would be the best choice?

scale 3

What is obliquity in Earth's orbit?

the inclination of Earth's axis

What is eccentricity in Earth's orbit?

the shape of Earth's orbit

This graph from ice core data shows the correlation between atmospheric methane, carbon dioxide, and temperature during the past 800,000 years. Correctly match the curves with their proper labels.

1. B: Temperature 2. A: Methane 3. C: Carbon dioxide

This diagram shows the spectrum of energy radiated by the Sun and Earth. Match the letters with the following items.

1. B: this is the visible spectrum 2. E: these rays are also known as heat energy 3. A: this peak shows the energy radiated from Earth 4. D: these rays cause sunburns 5. C: this peak shows energy radiated from the Sun

This image shows the three types of orbital variations that are involved in natural changes in Earth's climate. Correctly match each one.

1. C: Eccentricity 2. B: Obliquity 3. A: Precession

This graph shows the four main components that contribute to global sea level rise. Correctly match each component with its curve.

1. C: Glaciers and small ice caps 2. D: Deep-ocean thermal expansion 3. A: Surface water thermal expansion 4. B: Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets

This figure shows four examples of organisms that are affected by increased ocean acidity. Correctly match each picture with the name of the organism.

1. D: Coccolithophores 2. B: Corals 3. C: Sea urchins 4. A: Pteropod

How long is the most important eccentricity cycle for Earth's orbit?

100,000 years

Use the equation for the trend line in the figure above to match each of the scenarios described below with the amount of sea level rise predicted for that scenario.

2050-179 2100-322 2200-608 2020-93

How long is the cycle of precession for Earth's orbit?

26,000 years

If the USA adopted and maintained a policy of minimal control of CO2 emissions, what level would we expect its emissions to be in 2020?

2716 MMT

Which of the following arguments could be made for NOT adopting an aggressive control strategy worldwide?

All of the above.

Changes in Earth's climate often cause a response from other systems, which in turn affect Earth's climate.

Although their concentration in the atmosphere is lower than carbon dioxide, trace gases absorb Earth's outgoing radiation and cause warming of the troposphere. 2. When a component of the climate system is altered, the possible responses are known as climatefeedback mechanisms. 3. Effects that reinforce the initial climate system change are called positive -feedback mechanisms. 4. Because they reflect sunlight back into space, aerosols have a net cooling effect on the climate system. 5. Effects that produce the opposite results from the initial climate change are referred to as negative- feedback mechanisms

Choose the list of predicted trajectories for CO2 concentration that matches them in order with the aggressive, moderate, and minimal control scenarios.

C, B, A

It is often important to determine cause and effect relationships between observed phenomena to better understand the natural processes at work in our environment. Causation is the relationship between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the first event is considered responsible for the second. Determine whether each of the scenarios listed below is a cause of sea level rise, an effect of sea level rise, or is not at all related to sea level rise.

Cause of sea level rise thermal expansion of sea water, hotter temperatures, melting glacial ice Effect of sea level rise more frequent coastal flooding, increases in coastal erosion Not related to sea level rise depletion of the ozone layer

Your roommate, who has not studied climate, says, "I thought the greenhouse effect was a bad thing. Isn't it what's causing global warming?" Which of the following statements might you use to help your roommate understand the true nature of the greenhouse effect?

Some gases, like carbon dioxide and water vapor, "trap" the heat radiated by Earth, causing warming. When there are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect is stronger.

On a day with half cloud cover, what happens to the visible light headed toward Earth?

The clouds reflect some of it back to space, and some still reaches the surface.

Which of the following is the best statement regarding the graph of atmospheric CO2 concentrations?

This data is consistent with the hypothesis that increased atmospheric concentrations of CO2 may be causing an increase in average surface temperatures.

In a conversation with a friend, he expresses skepticism about global warning. When you inquire about his reasons, he responds by saying that the weather in that area has been the coolest he can remember. Using the information you have learned, what information could you offer to encourage your friend to reevaluate his position?

Weather and climate are different. Cooler weather does not mean the global climate is also cooler. "Global warming" means that the average global temperature is increasing. It doesn't mean that temperatures everywhere are hotter.

The greenhouse effect raises Earth's surface temperature (from what it would be otherwise) because the infrared light radiated by Earth's surface __________.

is temporarily absorbed by greenhouse gases and then reemitted in random directions

Arctic sea ice reached a historic minimum in 2012 that was approximately __________ the size of the long-term average recorded during 1979-2000.

one-half