BioBeyond - Finding the Cause Questions
and Answers
Which of the factors you investigated - albedo, distance from the Sun, solar luminosity, or the
atmosphere does the evidence indicate is most likely causing the recent rapid temperature rise
observed on Earth? Atmosphere
You have seen atmospheric gas concentrations measured in ppm, or parts per million. At a
concentration of 1 ppm of carbon dioxide, for every million particles in the atmosphere, only one
particle is carbon dioxide. Some other concentrations are in parts per billion or even parts per
trillion.
Which of these concentrations is the largest? 1 ppm (part per million)
Shown in the table to the right are concentrations of the greenhouse gases you have identified
earlier. Order them in the list below from most to least concentrated in the atmosphere. For
water, use the highest concentration listed. water
carbon dioxide
methane
nitrous oxide
Looking at volume of these gases, which is probably the greatest contributor to the ability of
Earth's atmosphere to retain heat? water
, Although water is the most abundant greenhouse gas, what does its lifetime mean for its
contribution to the observed warming trend? Water's contribution is probably less than
other gases because it's not in the atmosphere for very long
Looking at the data to the right, which gas is probably most responsible? Carbon Dioxide
The Earth is ___. This trend most closely follows trends in the Earth's ___. Within the Earth's
___, the component that is likely most responsible is ___. warming
atmosphere
atmosphere
carbon dioxide
Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support liquid water.
Albedo (How much light is reflected)
Atmosphere
Distance from the Sun
As you learned in Our Blue Planet, there is one key factor that this calculation does not take into
account. What major factor is missing? Atmospheric Composition
What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets? Maximum Albedo
0.76
Minimum Albedo 0.10
and Answers
Which of the factors you investigated - albedo, distance from the Sun, solar luminosity, or the
atmosphere does the evidence indicate is most likely causing the recent rapid temperature rise
observed on Earth? Atmosphere
You have seen atmospheric gas concentrations measured in ppm, or parts per million. At a
concentration of 1 ppm of carbon dioxide, for every million particles in the atmosphere, only one
particle is carbon dioxide. Some other concentrations are in parts per billion or even parts per
trillion.
Which of these concentrations is the largest? 1 ppm (part per million)
Shown in the table to the right are concentrations of the greenhouse gases you have identified
earlier. Order them in the list below from most to least concentrated in the atmosphere. For
water, use the highest concentration listed. water
carbon dioxide
methane
nitrous oxide
Looking at volume of these gases, which is probably the greatest contributor to the ability of
Earth's atmosphere to retain heat? water
, Although water is the most abundant greenhouse gas, what does its lifetime mean for its
contribution to the observed warming trend? Water's contribution is probably less than
other gases because it's not in the atmosphere for very long
Looking at the data to the right, which gas is probably most responsible? Carbon Dioxide
The Earth is ___. This trend most closely follows trends in the Earth's ___. Within the Earth's
___, the component that is likely most responsible is ___. warming
atmosphere
atmosphere
carbon dioxide
Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support liquid water.
Albedo (How much light is reflected)
Atmosphere
Distance from the Sun
As you learned in Our Blue Planet, there is one key factor that this calculation does not take into
account. What major factor is missing? Atmospheric Composition
What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets? Maximum Albedo
0.76
Minimum Albedo 0.10
