Natural Factors Leading to a Change - Eccentricity

Question 1

What is eccentricity?

Answer 1

The change in the shape of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

Currently our planet’s orbit is perfectly circle.

Question 2

What % difference is there between the time we were closest and furthest away from the sun?

Answer 2

3%

Question 3

What would happen if there was a bigger difference between the perihelion and aphelion?

Answer 3

It would modify the amount of solar energy received making perihelion much warmer than aphelion.

Question 4

What is perihelion?

Answer 4

Point of orbit nearest the sun.

Question 5

What is aphelion?

Answer 5

Point of orbit furthest away from sun.

Question 6

What happens when the Earth’s orbit is elliptical?

Answer 6

We spend further away from the sun.
Less solar energy on a annual basis.
Earth cools.

Question 7

When do temperatures start to rise?

Answer 7

End of glacial period - triggered by orbital change.
Releases huge amounts of co2 by warming oceans and thawing of land surface.
Amplifies warming trend and greenhouse gas effect.

Question 8

What does less insolation mean?

Answer 8

Lower temps.
Co2 trapped in ice.
Lowers greenhouse gas effect.
Enhances lower global temps.