Human - Causes of Climate Change (Physical)

Question 1

Changes in tilt of the earth towards or away from the sun

Answer 1

Effect the amount of insulation
- the greater the tilt towards the sun, the closer some areas are to the sun and therefore the greater amount of energy received.

Question 2

The earth rotates around the sun in an elliptical orbit

Answer 2

Certain times of the year, the earth can be much closer to the sun and so receives greater amounts of energy

Question 3

Sun spot activity

Answer 3

• Output from the sun is not constant
• Either a rise or decrease in the amount of solar energy
• A lot of sun spots = more solar energy is being sent out from the sun towards the earth

Question 4

Volcanic eruptions

Answer 4

• release huge amounts of ash and greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere
• sulphur dioxide combines with water to form aerosols
• these droplets absorb radiation from the sun and therefore heat themselves and the surrounding atmosphere
• earth’s surface does not receive as much insolation - global temperatures may drop

Question 5

Oceanic circulation and continental drift

Answer 5

• Over long period of time cause periodic warming and cooling
• Can affect the climate of these areas and lead to natural disasters ie. flooding