Blue Planet: Finding the Cause Questions and Answers Graded A

Blue Planet: Finding the Cause Questions and Answers Graded A Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support liquid water Albedo Distance from the sun Atmosphere As you learned in Our Blue Planet, there is one key factor that this simulation does not take into account. What major factor is missing? Atmospheric Composition What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets? Maximum: 0.76 Minimum: 0.1 Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -1st -19.1 Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -2nd 2.7 While we can calculate the temperature of an asphalt-covered Earth, is this realistic? No, it's not feasible to pave the oceans because asphalt is heavy and would sink. Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -3rd -99.7 While we can calculate the temperature of a snow-covered Earth, do you think this is realistic? 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? The aerosol increased albedo, decreasing Earth's temperature Can natural processes change the albedo of the Earth? Temperature of Earth after eruption (degrees C): - 19.8 Degrees colder (C): 1.6 Was your hypothesis supported by the data? (see #9) Yes it was supported What trends did you notice about snow and ice in Then and Now? 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? Increasing temperature What will happen to Earth's albedo from the loss of snow and ice? Decrease If all else is constant, what should the change in Earth's albedo mean for the global average temperature? 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? 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. Do changes in Earth's orbit drastically affect temperature? Perihelion Temperature (degrees C): -15.6 Aphelion Temperature (degrees C): -20.7 Is it likely that these changes in distance are responsible for the observed rapid temperature increase on Earth? No. Changes in distance would result in an increase and a decrease every year, but no overall trend. Comparing the two, which gases seem to follow the temperature trend? Select all that apply. Water, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane Given the evidence you've investigated, could the atmosphere or parts of it be behind the observed warming trend? Yes. Several atmospheric gases follow the observed warming trend, including some known greenhouse gases. What are the maximum and minimum values for solar luminosity shown in the data? Maximum Luminosity (W/sq. m): 1364 Minimum Luminosity (W/sq. m): 1360 What pattern do you see in the data? Solar luminosity is rising and falling in a cycle How many years does it take to get from peak luminosity to peak luminosity? 11 What temperature should result from average luminosity? Average Global Temperature (degrees C): -18.2 What temperature should result from minimum luminosity? -18.9 ^ maximum -18 Does this match well with the recent rate of change in Earth's temperature? Focus solely on the difference in temperatures, since the simulation doesn't include atmospheric effects. Select all that apply. - No. The luminosity changes go up and down, and the temperature trend is generally upward. - No. The luminosity changes predict smaller temperature changes than were observed. 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 Which of these concentrations is the largest? 1ppm Order them in the list below from most to least concentrated in the atmosphere 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 Final check: warming atmosphere atmosphere carbon dioxide