Atmosphere

Question 1

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 1

a natural phenomenon which helps keep the air around us warm and stable. The Sun’s rays hit the Earth and are absorbed by the ground. The
heated ground then emits infrared rays. Some of these rays pass through the
atmosphere, into space. Some are trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere with the help of
gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen oxides (NOX).

Question 2

How can the greenhouse effect be intensified

Answer 2

human activities that release greenhouse gases
such as burning fossil fuels and large scale farming.

Question 3

Which of the following gases do not contribute to the greenhouse effect?
A) CO2
B) CH4
C) NO2
D) SO2

Answer 3

D) SO2

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the Greenhouse effect is true?
A) An increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the
amount of heat that escapes into space.
B) A decrease in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the
amount of heat that escapes into space.
C) An increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the
amount of solar radiation that will enter the atmosphere.
D) A decrease in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the
amount of solar radiation that will enter the atmosphere.

Answer 4

B) A decrease in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to an increase in the
amount of heat that escapes into space.

Question 5

Explain how the greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth.

Answer 5

Greenhouse gases are necessary to keep the temperature and the climate around Earth stable. By trapping some of the sun’s rays reflected of the surface of the Earth, the atmosphere around us remains warm and stable, necessary for sustaining life.

Question 6

what are the consequences of a higher concentration of greenhouse gases

Answer 6

Global warming can lead to the melting of pack ice and glaciers. As the temperature of
the ocean increases, species which are sensitive to even slight changes in temperature
variations, for example corals, can die. An entire ecosystem of aquatic organisms
depends on a thriving coral community and can be disturbed by a loss of habitat. Climate
change also causes precipitation patterns and wind patterns to change.

Question 7

Five human activities are listed below.
1. Raising cattle
2. Driving a gasoline powered car
3. Using a natural gas fireplace
4. Walking
5. Swimming in a lake

Which of the above activities could contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Answer 7

1, 2, 3

Question 8

Which of the following does not contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases?
A) Decomposition of waste in landfills
B) Burning of fossil fuels
C) Melting of the permafrost
D) Photosynthesis in plants

Answer 8

D) Photosynthesis in plants

Question 9

The National Center for Policy Analysis released a newsletter in June 2009
highlighting “10 Cool Global Warming Policies”. Two of the proposed policies for
reducing the harm of global warming were:
Policy 1: Reduce forest wildfires through Alternative Forest Management Institutions
Policy 2: Subsidize the development of renewable energy resources
Explain how each policy could reduce global warming.

Answer 9

Policy 1: As the photosynthesis of plants consumes carbon dioxide, the destruction of forests by forest fires
will reduce the amount of CO2 that is consumed from the atmosphere.
The burning of the forests releases CO2 to the atmosphere.
So if forest fires are reduced, there will be less CO2, a greenhouse gas, released to the atmosphere and
more CO2 consumed by the trees. With less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, global warming could be
reduced.
Policy 2: Renewable energy resources such as wind and solar do not produce greenhouse gases whereas
non-renewable such as fossil fuels, do.