Physical Mechanism Of The Climate Change

Question 1

Define climate

Answer 1

A regions long term pattern of atmospheric conditions

Question 2

Define global climate change

Answer 2

Changes in Earths climate, including temperature, precipitation and other variables

Question 3

Define global warming

Answer 3

An increase in Earths average surface temperature

Question 4

Is climate change naturally?

Answer 4

Yes it is, but the recent rapid warming of the planet and its change in atmospheric composition are widely thought to be due to human activity

Question 5

3 factors that influence the earths climate

Answer 5

The sun: which provides most of the earths energy
The atmosphere: which both absorbs energy from the sun and reflects it back into space
The oceans: which stores and transports heat and moisture

Question 6

Explain the greenhouse effect and state the primary greenhouse gas

Answer 6

Gases that trap heat and prevent it from escaping the earths atmosphere
Primary greenhouse gas: carbon dioxide (has increased 33% in the past 200 years)

Question 7

Carbon dioxide increase is due to:

Answer 7

Burning of fossil fuels: we remove and combust carbon-rich fuels from the ground, sending carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Deforestation: cutting down trees, removing vegetation from the land, decreases the sink for carbon dioxide

Question 8

How does ocean currents impact climate?

Answer 8

Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream, move warm and cold water around the planet. Warm currents transfer heat from the tropics toward cooler regions, warming places like Europe. Cold currents cool nearby coastal areas. This circulation helps regulate global temperatures, drives weather patterns, and distributes nutrients for marine life