question
Nearly all of the Earth's energy comes from the Sun. Where does most of the rest of the Earth's energy come from?
answer
Thermal energy from the Earth's core
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More solar radiation is absorbed by Earth's surface than by __________.
question
What is the term for the total radiation that is reflected by a surface?
question
Light-colored surfaces __________ than dark-colored surfaces.
answer
Have a higher albedo
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question
Of the 50% of incoming solar radiation that is not absorbed by Earth's surface, how much is lost to space by reflection and scattering?
question
Which energy transfer process describes how the Earth gets energy from the Sun?
question
Which of the following characteristics of Earth's relationship to the Sun explains the existence of Earth's seasons?
answer
Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane; Earth spins on its axis, completing one rotation each day; Earth's axis always points in the same direction relative to the stars; Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one orbit each year
question
What is the June solstice?
answer
the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly toward the Sun
question
How does the inclination of Earth's axis change over the course of a year?
answer
The inclination of Earth's axis does not change
question
What is the December solstice?
answer
the time of the year when Earth's geographic North Pole is leaning most directly away from the Sun
question
When are the Sun's rays perpendicular to Earth's surface at the equator?
answer
September equinox, March equinox
question
Where does the length of day remain the same throughout the year?
question
When do all locations on Earth experience equal lengths of day and night?
answer
September equinox, March equinox
question
What are sources of carbon dioxide for our atmosphere?
answer
Decay of organic materials, Volcanoes, Plant respiration, Burning of fossil fuels
question
If we cut down the tree in your great-great grandmother's backyard and analyzed the tree rings, what type of data would this be?
answer
Paleo-proxy record (are preserved physical characteristics of past climates that stand in for direct measurements)
question
Your great-great grandmother may have written on her wedding photos about the weather on the day of her wedding. What type of data would this be?
question
CO2 levels drop during spring and summer months because __________.
answer
photosynthetic organisms are absorbing CO2
question
What two trends are commonly seen in modern monthly CO2 concentration charts?
answer
1) an up-and-down seasonal trend, and 2) overall increasing CO2 levels through time
question
How do the oceans contribute to maintaining a climate that is habitable for humans?
answer
Oceans absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
question
What is the primary cause of the nearly 20 percent increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since the 1960s?
answer
Burning of fossil fuels
question
How will increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels affect oceans?
answer
The oceans will become more acidic
question
What impact will increased carbon dioxide absorption by the oceans have on coral reefs?
answer
Reefs will degrade over time, ultimately resulting in large-scale mortality
question
How might global warming affect cities that rely on glacial runoff for their water supply?
answer
Cities may face long-term water shortages as the amount of water generated by glacial melt will decline as glaciers shrink
question
What has analysis of ice cores revealed about atmospheric greenhouse gas levels during the historic period?
answer
A sudden rise in greenhouse gas levels coincides with the start of the Industrial Revolution
question
What impact would rising sea levels have on human migration?
answer
Rising sea levels would cause enormous migration as people move inland away from affected areas
question
How do scientists measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for dates prior to the 1955?
answer
From air bubbles in glacial ice from cores
question
What are problems associated with ice sheets melting?
answer
Melting ice sheets adds water to the ocean, raising the sea level; Melting ice sheets changes the habitat for polar bears, walruses and some sea birds; Some places rely on water from the ice sheets to replenish their water supply; Melting ice sheets adds fresh water to the ocean, changing global ocean currents
