4.4.2 Greenhouse Gases

Question 1

What is a greenhouse gas?

Answer 1

A greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs infrared radiation from the Sun so it remains trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere

Question 2

Why are greenhouse gases important?

Answer 2

to ensure Earth is warm enough for life, however if levels of these gases in the atmosphere increase it leads to an increase in the greenhouse effect which causes the Earth’s average temperature to rise

Question 3

There are many greenhouse gases, what are the most important ones?

Answer 3

1. Water vapour

Question 4

Human activities have led to increasing levels of, what?

Answer 4

carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere

Question 5

What type of human activites hav eled to increasing levels of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere

Answer 5

1. Carbon dioxide is produced during the combustion of fossil fuel

Question 6

Describe the Greenhouse Effect (5)

Answer 6

1. The Sun emits rays that enter the Earth’s atmosphere

Question 7

What are 5 consequences of global warming

Answer 7

1. Ocean temperatures increasing, causing melting of polar ice caps / rising sea levels / flooding / coral bleaching

Question 8

There is scientific consensus (almost all scientists agree) that global warming is happening and that human activities are largely responsible for the most recent warming, what is the scientific consensus based on?

Answer 8

This scientific consensus is based on systematic reviews of thousands of scientific research papers that have been ‘peer reviewed’ by other scientists (the method used by scientists to check each other’s work in order to ensure that research findings are valid)

Question 9

Exam Tip

Answer 9

Describing the consequences of global warming is a common exam question and so it is worth learning at least three effects of increasing global temperatures.