4.4 Climate change Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the greenhouse gases + examples?

A

Greenhouse gases absorb and emit long-wave (infrared) radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat within the atmosphere (warming effect)

H2O, CO2, CH4, NO2

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2
Q

What are the characteristics whihc determine how strong is the greenhouse gas?

A
  1. Ability to absorb long-wave radiatino
  2. Conc in the atmosphere
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3
Q

Explain greehouse effect

A

Greenhouse effect is a natural process whereby the atmosphere behaves like a greenhouse to trap and retain heat

It ensures:

  • Earth maintains the moderate temperatures needed by organisms to maintain life processes (homeostasis)
  • Without a greenhouse effect, Earth’s temperatures would drop significantly at night in the absence of direct sunlight
    1. Waves from Sun - shorter (UV)
    2. Earth’s surface absorbes short wavelength - re-emits long wavelength
    3. Greenhouse gases absorbe the longer wavelength and re-emit back to Earth - retain heat of the planet
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4
Q

Explain climate change

A

Greenhouse gas conc has increased in atmosphere (CO2 - industrialisation) -> enhanced greenhouse effect -> more heat is trapped -> climate is warming across the wolrd

Positive correlation between CO2 conc and global warming

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5
Q

Explain ocean acidification problem

A

Oceans are CO2 sink - absorb 1/3 of human produced CO2 - as temp of oceans increases -less CO2 dissolves - accumulated in oceans as gas - lower pH - less carbonate ions in oceans - less available ions for exoskeletons - threatens coral reefs, other marine life

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6
Q

What are the claims and counterclaims for greenhouse debate>

A
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