+ and − Climate Feedback Loops and Carbon Isotopes

We know a spring has ________ feedback because when you compress or stretch the spring in the one direction, it opposes you with its force in the ________ direction.

• positive, opposite

• positive, same

• negative, same

• negative, opposite

Warming ocean temperatures increase the rate of dissolved ocean CO₂ outgassing, which raises earth's temperature. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

Warming air temperatures in the arctic/tundra regions thaws (melts) more permafrost, which releases greenhouse gas methane, that holds more heat in the earth's air. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

An increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis by plants and ocean phytoplankton, so they take more CO₂ out of the air. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

An increase in temperature and droughts from global warming causes more frequent and severe wildfires, which release more greenhouse gas CO₂ into the air. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

Global warming increases ocean water evaporating into the air. Water vapor is a greenhouse gas holding heat into the earth. This is ____.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

An increase in atmospheric temperatures increases ocean evaporation, causing more white clouds that reflect sunlight back to space, cooling earth. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

An increase in deforestation by humans (converting woodlands into homes, shops, agricultural fields, etc.) leads to higher atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

The albedo (reflectivity) of ice = 0.6, but the albedo of water = 0.06. An increase in global temperatures melts more polar sea ice, so less sunlight reflects back to space. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop

An increase in atmospheric CO₂ causes global warming that slows the ocean conveyor belt, which reduces the rate of nutrient upflow to phytoplankton that take CO₂ out of the air. This is ___.

• a positive feedback loop

• a negative feedback loop

• not a feedback loop

• a neutral feedback loop