Test Week 2 - The Fundamentals of climate

Question 1

The natural greenhouse effect primarily originates because

a.) Gases such as water vapour and carbon dioxide absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface

b.) Gases such as oxygen and carbon monoxide absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface

c.) Gases such as water vapour and carbon dioxide absorb incoming radiation from the Sun

d.) Gases such as water vapour reflect incoming sunlight

Answer 1

A
feedback response:

The natural greenhouse effect originates primarily from absorption of infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface by water vapour and carbon dioxide. The atmosphere is relatively transparent to incoming radiation from the Sun, and water vapour plays little or no role in reflecting solar radiation. See Week 2, Lecture 1, Slides 16-18.

Question 2

QUESTION 2

Climate feedbacks are important in quantifying the amount of warming because

a.) They cause climate change

b.) They always amplify climate change

c.) They can either amplify or reduce climate change

d.) They cause a runaway greenhouse effect

Answer 2

C
feedback response:
Climate feedbacks can act to either amplify or reduce climate change that results from a forced change in climate, such as an increase in CO2 concentrations. See Week 2, Lecture 1, Slides 20-22.

Question 3

QUESTION 3

Globally averaged surface temperatures in this decade have been

a.) About 10 degrees Centigrade warmer than the 1850-1900 average

b.) About the same as the 1850-1900 average

c.) About 1.2 degrees Centigrade warmer the 1850-1900 average

d.) About 1.2 degrees Centigrade warmer than the 1950-2000 average

Answer 3

C

response feedback:

Observations show that the globally averaged surface temperature is about 1.2 degrees Centigrade above the 1850-1900 average. See Week 2, Lecture 2, Slide 13.

Question 4

QUESTION 4

The frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events since 1950

a.) Is impossible to observe

b.) Have increased over most land areas where adequate observational data are available

c.) Has increased uniformly across the whole globe

d.) Have decreased over the tropical oceans where adequate observational data are available

Answer 4

B

Correct answer. Well done!

Observations show that it has increased over land areas where adequate data are available. See Week 2, Lecture 2, Slide 18.