Answer the following questions: 25 points
1. In the tropics, the absorbed solar energy is greater than the emitted thermal radiation lost to
space. The reverse is true at the poles. What stops the tropics getting hotter and hotter and
the poles getting colder and colder? (2pts)
a. In the tropics, the amount of solar energy that is taken in is greater than the amount of
heat that is given off as radiation that is lost to space. At the poles, you'll find the
opposite to be true. This is because the atmosphere will be responsible for transporting
the energy.
2. What factors influence the circulation of the Earth's atmosphere, thereby producing our
weather? (3pts.)
a. The amount of solar radiation, which varies depending on the tilt of the Earth, its orbital
distance from the sun, and latitude, along with temperature, air pressure, and the
availability of water, are the four primary factors that determine the weather. Even
when weather fronts and storms cause disruptions, the flow of air across the
atmosphere of our planet follows a pattern that can be predicted. This pattern is
referred to as atmospheric circulation, and it occurs because the Sun warms the planet
more intensely at the equator than it does at the poles. In addition to this, it is affected
by the rotation of the earth.
3. What are greenhouse gases? Give three examples (3pts)
a. One definition of a greenhouse gas is a gas that, in the environment, both absorbs and
emits radiant energy in the thermal infrared range. This process is the primary factor in
the creation of the greenhouse effect. The earth is kept at a comfortable temperature
due to the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The most important
greenhouse gases include those that occur naturally, such as carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, and water vapor.
4. What would the theoretical global average temperature be without the greenhouse effect?
(3pts)
a. the theoretical global average temperature be without the greenhouse effect would
probably be -18 degrees Celsius or 0°F as the presence of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, acts as a thermal
blanket around the world by capturing solar radiation and keeping it there. If the
greenhouse effect did not exist, the average temperature of the Earth would be -18
degrees Celsius (or 0 degrees Fahrenheit), and its surface would be covered in ice.
5. What effect does an increase in greenhouse gas concentration have on the energy budget of
the Earth? (2pts)
a. Additional greenhouse gases are responsible for the absorption of the heat. They then
release some of this heat into the environment. While some of the heat will be able to
leave the planet, some of it will be absorbed by another molecule of greenhouse gas
and will eventually make its way back to the surface of the Earth. When there are more
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, heat will remain for a longer period of time, which
will warm the earth.
6. Sea ice is highly reflective and causes less solar radiation to be absorbed compared to the
darker ocean. Sea ice is likely to become less extensive as temperatures warm. Based on these
considerations, will the effects of sea ice enhance warming or retard warming due to
increased greenhouse gases? What is this process termed? (3pts)
a. Sea ice will increase the warming. It is termed a positive (amplifying or re-enforcing).
7. List three factors that can cause climate to change. (3pts)
a. changes in Earth's orbit around the sun.
b. chaotic fluctuations of the ocean,
c. human activity (land use change and emissions of greenhouse gases)
8. What is the pre-industrial concentration of carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm)? What
(approximately) is the current concentration? (3pts)
a. 290 ppmv (around 200 to 300 ppmv acceptable when glacial cycles are taken into
account)
9. Why is the future climate response to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations uncertain?
(3pts)
a. There is a lack of clarity regarding emissions of greenhouse gases (due to socioeconomic
shifts), and there is also a lack of clarity regarding how sensitive the climate is to
changes in greenhouse gas concentrations (particularly cloud cover).
