Chemistry Unit 4: Chemistry of Climate Change: Part 2 Lesson 1

Warm-up Which factors would have influenced Earth's climate during the time of Pangea? Check all that apply.

one large landmass one large ocean tectonic activity

radiation

the transfer of energy through space

What is the relationship between Earth's temperature and the number of sunspots that occur?

An increased number of sunspots causes an increase in Earth's temperature.

elliptical

shaped like a flattened circle

How does volcanic activity affect climate? 1) Gas and ash filter out solar radiation, causing the temperature to... 2) Water vapor and carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, causing the climate to get...

1) decrease 2) warmer

1) The shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun is... 2) The tilt of Earth is responsible for...

1) elliptical 2) seasons

1) What natural element is one of the best preservers of prehistoric life? 2) What clues in fossils help scientists identify different ice ages?

1) ice 2) plants and animals remains

Lesson 1) Where do scientists find pollen grains to study ancient climate change? 2) What attribute of the pollen grains helps scientists identify the types of plants they belonged to?

1) in sediment layers 2) shape

1) Wide Rings 2) Narrow Rings

1) warm and rainy 2) cold and dry

ice age

a time in the past when large parts of the Earth's surface were covered with ice

fossil

a trace of an ancient organism preserved within a layer of rock

What do glaciers deposit that helps scientists study ancient climates?

sediment that contains fossils

How can sunspots affect Earth's climate?

An increase in sunspots could cause an increase in Earth's temperature.

glacier

a slowly moving, large body of ice and snow

Which of these are causes of long-term climate change? Check all that apply.

Earth's orbit around the Sun movement of continents solar energy volcanic activity

What statements accurately describe sunspots? Check all that apply.

Sunspots are storms on the Sun's surface. Sunspots are marked by intense magnetic activity. Sunspots produce solar flares and hot gassy ejections. Sunspots can affect Earth's climate.

If Earth was not tilted on its axis, what changes would you expect to see in the seasons?

Temperatures in summer and winter would be very similar.

A scientist in Northern California is studying the tree rings of a very old redwood tree. He notices that the oldest tree rings are very narrow. As the rings move away from the center, he observes 15 rings that get wider and wider. What can you determine about the climate during the 15-year period during which the tree rings grew wider?

The climate was warmer and wetter.

Mt. Pinatubo, a volcano in the Philippines, erupted in 1991. The eruption resulted in the cooling of Earth's surface for two years. What can you deduce from the information given?

The volcano released a lot of sulfur dioxide and ash.

Why are pollen grains useful when studying the climate history of a region?

They provide clues about the types of plants that grew in a region at a particular time.

sunspot

a dark area on the surface of the Sun that is cooler than surrounding areas

solar flare

a sudden eruption of energy from a small area of the Sun's surface

How do scientists study pollen grains to help them understand climate change?

by analyzing and making inferences about them

Which factors were affected by the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea? Check all that apply.

global wind patterns ocean currents global climates

Pollen grains help scientists...

identify plants and make assumptions on past climate conditions.

Quiz Which played a major role in altering wind patterns and ocean currents?

movement of continents

What should scientists consider when studying tree rings to understand the variations in the local climate?

patterns in their width, their density, and their composition

What are sunspots?

storms on the Sun's surface

What most likely caused the ice ages?

the tilt of the Earth's axis and the shape of its orbit

Assignment Which sources do scientists use to study ancient climates? Check all that apply.

tree rings pollen grains fossils

In what type of climate do trees produce wider rings?

warm and wet