Earth and Beyond (Assignment 5)

Question 1

What is the purpose of the natural greenhouse effect, and how would the Earth be different without it?

Answer 1

• Keeps the Earth warm during the day and prevents
  fluctuating temperature between DAY and NIGHT
• WITHOUT IT, the Earth’s surface would drop 15 - 17 degrees Celsius at night

Question 2

Explain the GREENHOUSE EFFECT.

Answer 2

GREENHOUSE EFFECT:
-SHORT wave radiation comes from the sun
-some solar energy is reflected, but most is absorbed
by the earth’s surface, raising its temperature
-LONG wave radiation sent into the atmosphere
-natural greenhouse gases absorb radiation and
radiate it back to earth

Question 3

Explain how the natural greenhouse effect is changed by the negative influence of humans (10 marks)

Answer 3

A disturbance in the balance of gases in the atmosphere, interferes with the ability to moderate the Earth’s temperature.

**BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS (coal, oil) increases
CO2
**INDUSTRIAL & AGRI DEVELOPMENT increases
methane
**Deforestation

This causes too much HEAT to be trapped in the atmosphere
The HEAT cannot ESCAPE, causing GLOBAL WARMING

Question 4

Name consequences of GLOBAL WARMING

Answer 4

Climate change
## Rising sea levels (ice melts)
### Food shortages (leads to people moving around
and social/political instability)
#### Extinctions of plant/animal species
(animals and plants die)

Question 5

Name 3 natural greenhouse gases

Answer 5

1) CO2
2) Water vapour
3) Methane

Question 6

What can we do to slow down global warming?

Answer 6

• Reduce & Re-use & Recycle
  – Use renewable energy sources
  — Plant more trees
  —- Reduce your carbon foot print