Climate Change

Front

Where are the sun's rays least direct?

Back

near the poles

Front

What has caused repeating 100,000-year cycles of ice ages in the past? Options: an increase in sun spots, several major volcanic eruptions, changes in Earth's orbit and tilt of its axis, continental drift

Back

changes in Earth's orbit and tilt of its axis

Front

Over the past 200 years, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has

Back

increased steadily

Front

anthropogenic

Back

originating from human activity

Front

The average temperature of the surface of Earth has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature? Options: lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere, lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere, higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere

Back

higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Front

Which characteristic of Earth’s atmosphere causes visible light to reach Earth’s surface while infrared light is trapped as heat?

Back

the greenhouse effect

Front

How do scientists collect evidence about climate?

Back

All of the above: using remote sensing from space with satellites, by ground-based measurements of surface temperatures, carbon dioxide concentration and sea level, by collecting “proxy data” from tree rings, ice cores, and historical records.

Front

If you took away the atmosphere’s natural greenhouse effect, and everything else stayed the same, Earth’s temperature would be: 10-20°F warmer, 30-40°F warmer, 10-20°F cooler, 50-60°F cooler.

Back

50-60°F cooler

Front

El Nino occurs when the tropical ocean waters are warmer in which ocean? Options: Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Arctic

Back

Pacific

Front

Which of the following is a natural cause of long term climate change? Options: Burning Fossil Fuels, Milankovitch Cycles, Deforestation, All of them

Back

Milankovitch Cycles