WS 2 P.1-8, 12 Flashcards
Please give 4 examples of how global warming affects us.
rising of temperatures, rainfall and storm surges in Hong Kong
unexpected blooming of cherry blossoms in Japan
hurricane Irma
east africa drought
What is the cause of the unexpected blooming of cherry blossoms in Japan?
—more frequent typhoons + more super-typhoons
—strong typhoons resulted in trees losing their leaves, which usually releases a hormone that stops the floral buds from growing
What is the greenhouse effect?
The effect of how greenhouse gases and dust absorb energy and keep the earth warm.
Describe the process of greenhouse effect. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
- The short waves of sun rays can pass through the atmosphere, aka short wave solar radiation
- The earth’s surface heats up
- Heat is released from the earth’s surface as long waves, aka long wave terrestrial radiation
- Greenhouse gases, water vapour and dust in the atmosphere trap the heat
- Some heat cannot pass through the atmosphere
- The atmosphere and the earth’s surface get warmer
Why is the greenhouse effect called the greenhouse effect?
This is because the atmosphere works like the glass of a greenhouse.
Greenhouse gases can absorb _________________ wave radiation, but not _________________ wave radiation.
long, short
What is the function of the greenhouse effect?
It helps the earth’s average temperature remain relatively stable as it is the natural phenomenon of keeping the earth warm.
How is global warming caused?
Too much greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will intensify the greenhouse effect, leading to an increase in global temperature.
The ___________________ trends of both CO2 concentration and __________________________________________ are the same. There is a ________________ _________________ between them.
increasing, global average temperature, positive relationship
The more __________ in the __________________, the ________________ the _____________________________________.
CO2, atmosphere, higher, global average temperature
Describe the process of global warming. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
- Shortwave solar radiation reaches the earth’s surface
- The earth’s surface absorbs some of the solar energy
- Longwave radiation is emitted to the atmosphere
- More energy is absorbed by the greenhouse gases
- More energy is absorbed/ re-radiated back to the earth’s surface
- Global average temperature increases
Less ___________ escapes into _________________ due to the _________________ of ______________________________.
heat, space, increase, greenhouse gases
What are the four major reasons leading to the increase in the amount of the greenhouse gases?
—rapid population growth
—ever-increasing human activities
—rapid economic development
—rising living standard
____________________ of ____________________________ in the atmosphere ↑ —> ______________________________________________________ ↑ —> greenhouse effect intensified —> _______________________________________ ↑
concentration, greenhouse gases, long wave radiation absorbed by the atmosphere, global average temperature
What are greenhouse gases?
They are gases that absorb long-wave radiation.
The two types of greenhouse gases are:
1.
2.
gases that are found naturally in the atmosphere, man-made GHGs
Give 5 examples of gases that are found naturally in the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, ozone
Give four examples of man-made GHGs.
CFCs, HFCs, PFCs and SF6.
What are the most abundant greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide and water vapour.
What human activities lead to the release of CO2? — — — — —
—burning of fossil fuels in power plants such as coal and oil
—use of fossil fuels in cars/ transport
—burning of trees
—burning waste in incinerators
—use of fossil fuels in some production processes (eg metals and cement)
What are the two impacts of the burning of trees?
This action releases CO2 and there will be fewer trees left to absorb CO2.