Greenhouse Effect And Global Warming

Question 1

How do greenhouse gases trap heat?

Answer 1

They absorb it

Question 2

How does the sun heat up the earth?

Answer 2

Infrared radiation, some is absorbed and some is reflected

Question 3

Which radiation has longer and shorter wavelengths?

Answer 3

Ultraviolet=shorter
Infrared=longer

Question 4

What radiation passes through the atmosphere when reflected?

Answer 4

Ultraviolet

Question 5

How do greenhouse gases “absorb” heat?

Answer 5

Infrared radiation the bonds in these molecules vibrate, bend and stretch more vigorously - raising their temperature

Question 6

What are human factors increasing carbon dioxide and methane levels?

Answer 6

Carbon dioxide:
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, oceans become less able to absorb CO2 (because molecules have higher temperatures)

Methane:
Swamps, grazing kettle, landfills, rice fields (decomposing waste)

Question 7

What is evidence of human effect on greenhouse gases?

Answer 7

Composition of air in ice cores in different periods of history

Question 8

What is predicted temperature increase in 100 years?

Answer 8

By 5.8°C

Question 9

What are the 4 effects of global warming?

Answer 9

Rising sea levels

more frequent and extreme weather events

Change in temperature and distribution of rainfall - affect food production around the world

Stress on ecosystems (extinction)

Question 10

What is carbon footprint?

Answer 10

The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full cycle of a product, service or event

Question 11

What are ways to reduce Greenhouse gases

Answer 11

Carbon capture and storage (pumping CO2 underground) it is expensive
Plant based diets - reduce demand of beef and transport of meat
Tax on fossil fuel (big cars)
Research in alternative energy e.g biofuels (carbon neutral)
Insulate homes
Planting trees