feedback systems

Question 1

what is negative feedback

Answer 1

effect is reduced

Question 2

what is positive feedback

Answer 2

effect is increased / enhanced

Question 3

negative feedback for co2 rich atmosphere

Answer 3

CO2 ENRICHED ATMOSPHERE allows for MORE PHOTOSYNTHESIS meaning MORE TREES meaning REDUCTION IN CO2

then: LESS PHOTOSYNTHESIS meaning LESS TREES meaning CO2 ENRICHED ATMOSPHERE

Question 4

positive feedback of more ice

Answer 4

MORE ICE means that there is a HIGHER ALBEDO meaning that LESS ICE IS ABSORBED so LESS HEAT IS RADIATED making it COLDER producing MORE ICE

Question 5

positive feedback of warmer climate

Answer 5

WARMER CLIMATE means that there is WARMER AIR so it can HOLD MORE MOISTURE and MORE WATER VAPOUR which is a GREENHOUSE GAS which ABSORBS MORE SOLAR ENERGY leading to a warmer climate

Question 6

negative feedback of ocean absorbing Co2

Answer 6

as the OCEAN ABSORBS CO2 the TEMPERATURE OF THE OCEAN INCREASES reducing its capability to ABSORB CO2

but then : as the ocean is absorbing less CO2, the TEMP DECREASES and the CAPACITY INCREASES

Question 7

negative feedback of increased use of fossil fuels

Answer 7

INCREASE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS INCREASES ATMOSPHERIC CO2 causing the GLOBAL TEMPERATURE TO INCREASED enhancing PLANT GROWTH INCREASING UPTAKE OF CO2 BY PLANTS which REDUCES ATMOSPHERIC CO2 REDUCING GLOBAL TEMPS

Question 8

positive feedback of rising global temperatures

Answer 8

as TEMPS RISE, OCEANS get WARMER, WARM OCEANS CANT ABOSRB AS MUCH CO2 so dissolved CO2 IS RELEASED meaning there is MORE CO2 IN ATMOSPHERE increasing the global temperatures

Question 9

positive feedback of desertification

Answer 9

DESERTIFICATION causes ACCELERATED EROSION AND REDUCED VEGETATION COVER meaning there is REDUCED INFILTRATION AND INCREASED SURFACE RUN OFF causing a REDUCTION IN SOIL MOISTURE enhancing DESERTIFICATION

Question 10

what is equilibrium?

Answer 10

all systems in their natural state aim to be in a state of balance as this is when they function best

Question 11

positive feedback of warmer air

Answer 11

WARMER AIR means MORE SEA ICE MELTS which means that LESS LIGHT IS REFLECTED so the WATER IS WARMER making the AIR WARMER

Question 12

negative feedback of sea ice melting

Answer 12

SEA ICE MELTS AND DARKER OCEAN ABSORBS SOLAR RADIATION which INCREASES EVAPORATION FROM THE WARMER OCEAN which means there are MORE CLOUDS LOW IN THE ATMOSPHERE, increasing ATMOSPHERES ALBEDO making OCEAN TEMPS DECREASE so SEA ICE REFORMS, ALBEDO INCREASES AND TEMPS CONTINUE TO DECREASE