Heating The Earth

Question 1

Atmosphere

Answer 1

Mixture of gases

Question 2

Layers of atmosphere

Answer 2

From bottom up
Troposphere - contains most gases and water vapour
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

Question 3

Gas percentages

Answer 3

Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Water vapour, carbon dioxide - 1%

Question 4

How does atmosphere influence the world

Answer 4

We breathe the air. 
It absorbs heat from the sun. 
It retains heat at night. 
It protects us from the Suns rays 
In the troposphere the weather is formed

Question 5

How is the atmosphere heated

Answer 5

1. The Suns Ray’s heat the earth.
2. The earth heats the air around it.
   (Diagram)

Question 6

What causes uneven heating of the atmosphere

Answer 6

Latitude and tilt of the earth

Question 7

Latitude (across)

Answer 7

Near the equator :
The sun heats a small area.
The Rays don’t travel through much atmosphere so they don’t lose much heat.
Equator is hotter.

Away from the equator :
The rays are spread out and heat a wider area.
Travel through more atmosphere so they lose heat.
Further away from the equator is colder.

(Diagram)

Question 8

Tilt of the earth

Answer 8

Northern summer : northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun.

• more heat
• longer days
• winter in the Southern Hemisphere

Northern winter : northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun

• less heat
• longer nights
• summer in the Southern Hemisphere

(Diagram)

Question 9

Greenhouse gas percentages

Answer 9

Carbon dioxide : 72%
Methane : 10%
CFC’s : 13%
Nitrous oxide : 5%

Question 10

The greenhouse effect and global warming

Answer 10

Greenhouse effect is when the earth holds onto some of the heat.
Greenhouse gases cause global warming because they are being retained so more heat is.

Question 11

Causes of global warming

Answer 11

Fossil fuels : more oil, coal and gas are being burned with increases carbon dioxide in the air.
CFC’s : more plastic, aerosols and fridges are being used which increase CFC’s
Tree’s : more trees are being cut down so there are less trees to absorb carbon dioxide.

Question 12

Effects of global warming

Answer 12

Water shortages : crop failure and famines
Polar ice caps melting : causes sea levels to ride, creating risk of flooding in low lying areas such as the Netherlands and east England.
Tropical diseases like malaria may spread to warmer places. The desert will spread and ruin some African countries.
(Diagram)

Question 13

Effects of global warming on Ireland

Answer 13

Rising temperatures : country will be drier (especially in the south), will improve some crop growth, reduce growth of potato, water shortages.

More rain : winter will be wetter,increased flooding, bog bursts, erosion of coastal areas and more flood protection.

Sea levels will rise

Question 14

Solutions to global warming

Answer 14

Renewable energy : wind, water, sea power

Reduce deforestation : tress will hold more carbon dioxide

Increase energy conservation : energy efficient appliances, better insulation

Question 15

What is wind and what causes it

Answer 15

Wind is air moving from high pressure to low pressure.
Atmospheric pressure (weight of air pressing down on earth)
Low pressure (air is warmer and lighter so it rises)
High pressure (air cools and is heavier so it’s sinks)
Winds blow from high pressure areas to low pressure areas
(Diagram)

Question 16

Global wind patterns

Answer 16

Influenced by :
Uneven heating of the earth (creates high and low pressure areas)
Coriolis effect (deflects the wind to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere)
(Diagram)

Question 17

Uneven heating of the earth global wind pattern

Answer 17

1. Low pressure at the equator as the warm air rises. It moves away from the equator and cools. At 30*N latitude the air is heavy and presses down, creating a high pressure area.
2. High pressure at North Pole. Air presses down. At 60*N latitude the air warms up and rises, creating a low pressure area.
   (Diagram)

Question 18

How is the global wind system influenced by the Coriolis effect

Answer 18

On a non spinning earth : winds would blow from a high pressure area to a low pressure area.
On a spinning earth : caused by the spinning of the earth. Wind is deflected to the right in
(Diagram)

Question 19

Ocean currents

Answer 19

Warm currents : equator to north or south poles

Cold currents : north or south poles to equator

Question 20

What causes ocean currents

Answer 20

Unequal heating of the oceans : cold water sinks and flows. Warm water rises

Prevailing winds : winds drag along the water to form the current

(Diagram)

Question 21

Currents in the North Atlantic

Answer 21

Currents in the North Atlantic : the Labrador current freezes harbours along Canadian coat and brings icebergs and fog
The North Atlantic Drift : warm, begins at Gulf Stream, gives Ireland mild summer and keeps harbours ice free
The Canaries Current : cold, keeps African coast dry and prevent rain in the Sahara

Question 22

Effects of ocean currents

Answer 22

Warm currents raise land and sea temperatures by rising the temperature of the air above sea level.
Cold currents lower land and sea temperatures