Midterm 1

Question 1

5 chars of science denial

Answer 1

Fake experts, cherry pick, impossible expectations, logical fallacies, conspiracy theories

Question 2

How to Study complex systems

Answer 2

Identify components, determine residence time, identify feedback loops

Question 3

Flux

Answer 3

Amount of material added to (source) or removed from (sink) reservoir

Question 4

Residence time

Answer 4

How long something will remain in reservoir

Amount inside reservoir/ total source

Question 5

Luminosity of sun increased by

Answer 5

30% in 4.5 bil years

Question 6

Blackbody

Answer 6

Absorbs all light, emits Spectrum of light that depends on temp

Question 7

Stefan Boltzmann law

Answer 7

I= sigma T^4

Question 8

Wien’s law

Answer 8

Lambda max= 2898/T

Question 9

Factors that control earths temp

Answer 9

Suns luminosity, distance from sun, atmosphere and Albedo, earths temp,greenhouse effect

Question 10

Solar flux density

Answer 10

Amount of solar power per unit area on surface of a sphere centered at the sun

Question 11

Sun vs earth radiation type

Answer 11

Sun is short earth is long wave

Question 12

Climate

Answer 12

Avg weather over 30 years or more period

Question 13

Koeppen system

Answer 13

Distinguishes diff climates w vegetation types

Question 14

Earths tilt

Answer 14

23.5 degrees

Question 15

How to figure out past climate

Answer 15

Instrumental record, geologic record, proxy record

Question 16

Middle Cretaceous

Answer 16

100 mil years, coral reefs at poles, sea level 100m higher, 6-14 C warmer

Question 17

Last 50 MYRS

Answer 17

Climate cooled bc of continents moving, chg in ocean and wind currents, gradual fall in CO2

Question 18

Last 2 Myrs

Answer 18

Alternating glacial and interglacial periods every 100,000 years and 40,000 years

Chg bc of milankovitch cycle, climate feedbacks inc co2

Question 19

Last 10000 years

Answer 19

Stableish, we adapted to stable climate

Question 20

Oceans change

Answer 20

Warming, inc sea level, acidification