Unit 4.3

Question 1

What is albedo?

Answer 1

the amount of light a surface reflects

Question 2

What is the relation between temperature and water vapor?

Answer 2

temperatures rise > more water evaporates > more water vapor > more heat is trapped > temperatures rise

Question 3

What happens in a positive feedback loop?

Answer 3

the output amplifies the initial disturbance

Question 4

what happens in a negative feedback loop?

Answer 4

the output restricts the initial disturbance

Question 5

What do ice cores allow scientists to do?

Answer 5

determine environmental conditions in the past

Question 6

Does darker ice show warmer (summer) or colder (winter) temperatures?

Answer 6

colder temperatures (winter)

Question 7

What is a reference horizon?

Answer 7

a distinct layer in an ice core, typically matter from a volcanic eruption

Question 8

What is the relationship between clouds and temperature?

Answer 8

Clouds increase temperatures, as they trap infrared and heat in. This then causes there to be less clouds, which lets more head and infrared out. This then causes temperatures to decrease, causing clouds to form again.

Question 9

Is the following feedback loop positive or negative?
temperatures increase > snow and ice melting > lower albedo > temperatures increase

Answer 9

positive

Question 10

What is determined from the air bubbles trapped in ice cores?

Answer 10

The air trapped is from the time that ice layer was created, meaning scientists can observe the air to determine carbon levels in the atmosphere.