C13-The earths atmosphere

Question 1

what is the greenhouse effect

Answer 1

The Sun emits all of the waves in the EM Spectrum
30% of these waves that reach the Earth get reflected back into space
Greenhouse gases absorb some of them, keeping them trapped inside the atmosphere
Earth cools down by emitting infrared radiation but greenhouse gases absorb it
Radiation stimulates the bonds in these molecules to vibrate, bend and stretch more vigorously, increasing their temperature
The higher the proportion of greenhouse gases in the air, the more energy is absorbed

Question 2

what gas has increased over the last century

Answer 2

Over the last century, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity

Question 3

what are the 4 sources of methane

Answer 3

Sources of Methane:
decomposing waste of cattle
rice fields
landfill sites
swamps

Question 4

what are the two CO2 sinks

Answer 4

CO2 sinks - for example the oceans and tropical rainforests

Question 5

how are the C02 sinks being affected

Answer 5

deforestation reduces the amount of photosynthesis taking place
As the temperature increases, CO2 becomes less soluble in water, making oceans less effective as CO2 sinks

Question 6

Consequences of global changing weather patterns

Answer 6

rising sea levels due to melting ice caps and expansion of warmer oceans –> may cause flooding of low lying land,

increased coastal erosion, and islands may disappear
increasingly common extreme weather events (tornados, hurricanes)

changes in temp and amount, timing of distribution of rainfall - may impact food producing capacity of different regions

changes to distribution wildlife species and some may become extinct –> rapid changes will put ecosystem under stress

Question 7

what is carbon footprint

Answer 7

The carbon footprint of a product/service/event = the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases that are emitted over its full life cycle

Question 8

what is a solution to c02 emissions

Answer 8

A solution CO2 emissions = carbon capture and storage = to pump it deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks

Question 9

name 4 ways the government is dealing with c02 emissions

Answer 9

Taxing fossil fuels
Taxing cars that burn lots of petrol/diesel
support the use of biofuels
There are policies that say when trees are felled, new ones must be planted in its place

Question 10

Problems reducing the carbon footprint:

Answer 10

Problems reducing the carbon footprint:
lifestyle changes
cost
people disagree that climate change has consequences