IB ESS 2026 Topic 6 ACTUAL UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Atmosphere The layer of gases surrounding Earth
Solar energy Radiation from the sun that drives Earth's climate system
Infrared radiation Heat energy emitted from Earth's surface back toward space
, Greenhouse effect The natural process by which GHGs trap heat near Earth's surface
Enhanced greenhouse effect The intensification of the natural greenhouse effect due to human GHG emissions
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) Gases that trap infrared radiation (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, H₂O vapor)
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) Primary GHG from fossil fuel combustion
Methane (CH₄) Potent GHG from farming, industry, and landfills
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) GHG that is added mostly due to agricultural practices, but also industrial
processes, and fossil fuel combustion
Water vapor (H₂O) Naturally occurring GHG that is increased as temperatures rise
Albedo The reflectivity of a surface; more of this reflects more sunlight
Stratospheric ozone Layer in the atmosphere that absorbs UV-B radiation
Climate The typical atmospheric conditions of an area over 30+ years
Weather Short-term atmospheric conditions
Global warming The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to enhanced GHE
climate change a change in global or regional climate patterns
Keeling Curve The continuous record of atmospheric CO₂ concentration since 1958, showing a
steady upward trend.
Ice cores Cylinders of ice drilled from ice sheets containing trapped air bubbles used to
reconstruct past climates. Carbon dating gives timeline, amount of CO2 gives
climate/temperature estimate
Atmosphere The layer of gases surrounding Earth
Solar energy Radiation from the sun that drives Earth's climate system
Infrared radiation Heat energy emitted from Earth's surface back toward space
, Greenhouse effect The natural process by which GHGs trap heat near Earth's surface
Enhanced greenhouse effect The intensification of the natural greenhouse effect due to human GHG emissions
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) Gases that trap infrared radiation (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, H₂O vapor)
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) Primary GHG from fossil fuel combustion
Methane (CH₄) Potent GHG from farming, industry, and landfills
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) GHG that is added mostly due to agricultural practices, but also industrial
processes, and fossil fuel combustion
Water vapor (H₂O) Naturally occurring GHG that is increased as temperatures rise
Albedo The reflectivity of a surface; more of this reflects more sunlight
Stratospheric ozone Layer in the atmosphere that absorbs UV-B radiation
Climate The typical atmospheric conditions of an area over 30+ years
Weather Short-term atmospheric conditions
Global warming The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to enhanced GHE
climate change a change in global or regional climate patterns
Keeling Curve The continuous record of atmospheric CO₂ concentration since 1958, showing a
steady upward trend.
Ice cores Cylinders of ice drilled from ice sheets containing trapped air bubbles used to
reconstruct past climates. Carbon dating gives timeline, amount of CO2 gives
climate/temperature estimate
