Climate Change and Weather Flashcards 2:

Question 1

What is a positive feedback loop?

Answer 1

It is when the effect in the feedback loop increases the original cause.

Question 1

What is a feedback loop?

Answer 1

It is a loop where the cause creates an effect that impacts the original cause.

Question 2

What is a negative feedback loop?

Answer 2

It is when the effect in the feedback loop decreases the original cause.

Question 3

Name the steps in the CO2 feedback loop.

Answer 3

The global temperatures increase, then more CO2 is released from carbon sinks, then more heat is trapped by CO2.

Question 4

What type of feedback loop is the CO2 feedback loop (positive or negative)?

Answer 4

Positive feedback loop.

Question 5

Name the steps in the high-clouds feedback loop.

Answer 5

There are warmer temperatures, then more high clouds are formed, then more of the radiation from the sun is reflected, then the temperatures decrease.

Question 6

What type of feedback loop is the high clouds feedback loop?

Answer 6

Negative feedback loop.

Question 7

Name the steps in the low clouds feedback loop.

Answer 7

There are warmer temperatures, then it forms low clouds, then the low clouds trapped the energy from the sun near the earth’s surface.

Question 8

What type of loop is the low clouds feedback loop?

Answer 8

Positive feedback loop.

Question 9

What is the albedo effect?

Answer 9

The albedo effect is a type of feedback loop between temperature and the amount of ice/snow.

Question 10

Clouds reflect about what percentage of the sun’s radiation?

Answer 10

About 40% - 70%

Question 11

Snow reflects about what percentage of the sun’s radiation?

Answer 11

About 80%.

Question 12

Forests reflect about what percentage of the sun’s radiation?

Answer 12

About 10%.

Question 13

Water reflects about what percentage of the sun’s radiation?

Answer 13

About 8%

Question 14

Albedo is measured as a number between…

Answer 14

0 and 1.

Question 15

The albedo of something corresponds to the… (3 part question)

Answer 15

Percentage of radiation that is reflected.

Question 16

An albedo level of 0 means…

Answer 16

All of the radiation is absorbed, instead of reflected.

Question 17

An albedo level of 1 means…

Answer 17

All of the radiation is reflected, instead of absorbed.

Question 18

If it is hot in your area, should you have a high or low albedo?

Answer 18

High albedo.

Question 19

If it is cool in your area, should you have a high or low albedo?

Answer 19

Low albedo.

Question 20

Is the albedo effect a positive or negative feedback loop?

Answer 20

Positive feedback loop.

Question 21

Why will the albedo effect participate in a positive feedback loop?

Answer 21

This is because the rising temperatures on earth will melt the ice and snow, which have a very high albedo. When it melts, it exposes materials with a low albedo to the sun. This will absorb the sun’s radiation, raising the temperatures.

Question 22

How do increasing temperatures affect melting ice caps?

Answer 22

Increasing temperatures will speed up the rate of the melting of polar ice caps.

Question 23

Rising temperatures can stay high for…

Answer 23

Days or weeks.

Question 24

How will heat waves cause droughts?

Answer 24

The increasing temperatures will lead to more evaporation, causing some areas to dry out and go into a drought.

Question 25

How can climate change cause food and water shortages?

Answer 25

Climate change will cause droughts, affecting the invasive species and ecosystems. This will cause food and water shortages.

Question 26

How will climate change bleach coral reefs?

Answer 26

The increasing temperatures on earth will raise the temperatures in the oceans. This increase in temperature will affect the coral’s food source, causing the coral to turn white and bleach.

Question 27

How will increasing temperatures cause severe weather?

Answer 27

Increasing temperatures will lead to more ocean evaporation, causing heavier rainfalls and snowfalls.

Question 28

How does increasing temperatures contribute to forest fires?

Answer 28

The hot, dry climates will increase the likelihood and intensity of forest fires.

Question 29

How does climate change contribute to the extinction of wildlife?

Answer 29

Increasing temperatures will decrease the food availability, putting some species at risk of extinction.

Question 30

How does climate change contribute to the increase in invasive species?

Answer 30

Increasing temperatures will force other species to live in other areas where they aren’t native, which can disrupt the food web if there are no predators.