Effects Of Emissions On Climate Flashcards
The first of these effects is the green house gas effect, what do you know about these effects?
First thing to remember is that some of the energy coming from the earth is trapped by the atmosphere , indicating that some wavelengths can pass through the atmosphere and some can’t.
The energy returning from the earth leaves as infrared radiation .
What do you know about molecular vibrations?
These are the periodic movement of atoms in a molecule.
Two types: stretch-bonding vibration and angle bending vibration.
What does molecular vibration have to do with climate and the green house effect.
No energy leaving the earth is in the form of thermal infrared radiation (IR). Some gas molecules have complex molecular vibration which allows them to interact with radiation . Eg CO2 has complex melocular vibration allowing it to interact and absorb IR. Nitrogen and Oxygen do not have this. So gases with molecular vibration tend to interact with thermal infrared radiation leaving the earth , they absorb,trap and release some of them back into the earth’s surface.
Why is water vapor the most important green house gas and how much green house gases does it account for?
This accounts for 60% of green house gases. It also acts as a barrier that captures heat from the sun increasing temperatures. It is the most important green house gas because of its high concentrations.
Is this statement true or false: when CO2 molecules are in either anti symmetric stretch or bending vibration radiation cannot pass through .
True.
Facts to note about molecular vibrations
Because of the different molecular vibrations some molecules allow more radiation and energy to pass through them as compared to others. In reality there might even be smaller less popular green house gases that also prevent energy and radiation from leaving the earth
What is important to note about green house gases?
It is important to. It’s that green house gases have also kept the earth’s temperature at a livable range and without these gases the earth may have been inhabitable and the suns full radiation would be reaching the earth.
What are some of the environmental effects of aerosols
The make the clouds appear whiter , they are also responsible for the scattering and absorption of light.
What is the difference between constant CO2 emissions and linearly increasing CO2 emissions?
With Constant CO2 emissions here the Co2 emissions although constant are the same amount eg. If 50tonnes are released this year the same amount is released next year.
With linearly increasing CO2 emissions although also constant the amount steadily increases year by year . Eg the amount increased in 2022 will increase by 1% or more in 2023 and it continues.
Although both contribute to climate change Linearly increasing Co2 emissions accelerates climate change , causing rapid changes in ecosystems ,sea levels weather patterns etc.
what do you know about positive and negative feedback
Negative feedback examples are more desired than positive feedback.positive feedback the consequences are enhanced and negative while negative feed back reduces the effects of climate change.
Eg. Of a positive feedback example temperature increases causes the permafrost to thaw which causes CO2 methane and other gases to be released into the atmosphere.
Eg of a negative feed back increased CO2 concentrations cause increased vegetation which in turn causes decreased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.
