Climate: Feedback Loops & Albedo Effect

Front

What is a negative feedback loop?

Back

A negative feedback loop is a process that counteracts changes in a system, helping to maintain stability by reducing the effects of disturbances.

Front

What is a positive feedback loop?

Back

A positive feedback loop is a process that amplifies changes in a system, pushing it towards an extreme state.

Front

What does albedo refer to?

Back

Albedo is the measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface, expressed as a percentage.

Front

Which surface has the highest albedo?

Back

Ice and snow have the highest albedo, reflecting most of the sunlight that hits them.

Front

Which surface has the lowest albedo?

Back

Dark soil has the lowest albedo, absorbing most of the sunlight.

Front

What are greenhouse gases?

Back

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Front

What is the most abundant greenhouse gas?

Back

Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

Front

How does the albedo effect influence climate change?

Back

Changes in surface albedo can affect the Earth's temperature by altering the amount of solar energy absorbed or reflected.

Front

What role do feedback loops play in climate systems?

Back

Feedback loops can either stabilize or destabilize climate systems, influencing temperature and weather patterns.

Front

What is an example of a positive feedback loop in climate change?

Back

An example is the melting of ice; as ice melts, less sunlight is reflected, leading to further warming and more ice melt.