BioBeyond - Finding the Cause Quizzes Exam
With Complete Solutions Graded A+
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support liquid water..
ANSWER -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?. ANSWER -Atmospheric Composition
What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets?. ANSWER -
Maximum Albedo 0.76
Minimum Albedo 0.10
Earth's current albedo is about 0.31. In the table below, we have used Earth's current albedo
value to determine the temperature of Earth if all other factors are kept at their default
values and Earth had no atmosphere.
Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to Celsius. To convert
from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.. ANSWER -Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -19.1
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo were 0.04 in the table
below. Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to Celsius. To
convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.. ANSWER -Temperature of Earth (degrees C)
2.7
While we can calculate the temperature of an asphalt-covered Earth, is this realistic?.
ANSWER -No, it's not feasible to pave the oceans because asphalt is heavy and would sink.
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo were 0.85 in the table
below. Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to Celsius. To
convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.. ANSWER -Temperature of Earth (degrees C)
-99.7
, While we can calculate the temperature of a snow-covered Earth, do you think this is
realistic? You will be scored on completion, not accuracy.. ANSWER -Yes, shifts in Earth's
climate could bring about a snow-covered Earth.
Make a hypothesis - what will the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the aerosol it releases do to
Earth's albedo and temperature?. ANSWER -The aerosol increased albedo, decreasing
Earth's temperature
The aerosol released by Mount Pinatubo changed Earth's albedo, raising it by 0.007 to an
average value of 0.317. We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its
albedo were 0.317 in the table below. Identify the effective temperature and then convert
the temperature to Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.
Earth's temperature at its normal albedo of 0.310 predicted by this model is -18.2 degrees C.
How much colder is Earth in this model after the eruption?. ANSWER -Temperature of
Earth after eruption (degrees C) -19.8
Degrees colder (C) 1.6
What trends did you notice about snow and ice in Then and Now?. ANSWER -Levels of
snow and ice are generally decreasing
What is the most likely direct cause of the snow and ice loss you observed in Then and
Now?. ANSWER -Increasing temperature
What will happen to Earth's albedo from the loss of snow and ice?. ANSWER -Earth's
albedo will decrease
If all else is constant, what should the change in Earth's albedo mean for the global average
temperature?. ANSWER -The global average temperature will increase
You've now investigated several scenarios regarding Earth's albedo. Is it likely, then, that a
change in Earth's albedo is causing the temperature increase?. ANSWER -No. Earth's
albedo is decreasing because snow and ice are melting, but it is the temperature increase
causing the melt, not the other way around.
Earth's orbit around the Sun is an ellipse, like a slightly flattened circle. Because of this,
Earth's distance from the sun varies slightly. At its closest point to the sun, called
With Complete Solutions Graded A+
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support liquid water..
ANSWER -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?. ANSWER -Atmospheric Composition
What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets?. ANSWER -
Maximum Albedo 0.76
Minimum Albedo 0.10
Earth's current albedo is about 0.31. In the table below, we have used Earth's current albedo
value to determine the temperature of Earth if all other factors are kept at their default
values and Earth had no atmosphere.
Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to Celsius. To convert
from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.. ANSWER -Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -19.1
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo were 0.04 in the table
below. Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to Celsius. To
convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.. ANSWER -Temperature of Earth (degrees C)
2.7
While we can calculate the temperature of an asphalt-covered Earth, is this realistic?.
ANSWER -No, it's not feasible to pave the oceans because asphalt is heavy and would sink.
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo were 0.85 in the table
below. Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to Celsius. To
convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.. ANSWER -Temperature of Earth (degrees C)
-99.7
, While we can calculate the temperature of a snow-covered Earth, do you think this is
realistic? You will be scored on completion, not accuracy.. ANSWER -Yes, shifts in Earth's
climate could bring about a snow-covered Earth.
Make a hypothesis - what will the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the aerosol it releases do to
Earth's albedo and temperature?. ANSWER -The aerosol increased albedo, decreasing
Earth's temperature
The aerosol released by Mount Pinatubo changed Earth's albedo, raising it by 0.007 to an
average value of 0.317. We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its
albedo were 0.317 in the table below. Identify the effective temperature and then convert
the temperature to Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273.
Earth's temperature at its normal albedo of 0.310 predicted by this model is -18.2 degrees C.
How much colder is Earth in this model after the eruption?. ANSWER -Temperature of
Earth after eruption (degrees C) -19.8
Degrees colder (C) 1.6
What trends did you notice about snow and ice in Then and Now?. ANSWER -Levels of
snow and ice are generally decreasing
What is the most likely direct cause of the snow and ice loss you observed in Then and
Now?. ANSWER -Increasing temperature
What will happen to Earth's albedo from the loss of snow and ice?. ANSWER -Earth's
albedo will decrease
If all else is constant, what should the change in Earth's albedo mean for the global average
temperature?. ANSWER -The global average temperature will increase
You've now investigated several scenarios regarding Earth's albedo. Is it likely, then, that a
change in Earth's albedo is causing the temperature increase?. ANSWER -No. Earth's
albedo is decreasing because snow and ice are melting, but it is the temperature increase
causing the melt, not the other way around.
Earth's orbit around the Sun is an ellipse, like a slightly flattened circle. Because of this,
Earth's distance from the sun varies slightly. At its closest point to the sun, called
