Lesson Check Day 7(35pts.)

Causes & Effects of Human Actions on the Climate

Read each statement and determine if it is a cause or effect of climate change.

Groups:

(a) Cause

,

(b) Effect

• Burning Fossil Fuels (coal, oil, & natural gas)

• Ice caps melting and Sea level rising

• Extreme weather (floods, droughts, wildfires)

• Livestock farming increase

• Increase in global temperatures

• Deforestation- cutting down tress

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Trace gases are small amounts of gases in the atmosphere such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and CFCs. When combined, the trace gases only make up 0.1% of Earth's atmosphere.

Which of the following actions would most likely increase the amount of trace gases in the atmosphere?

• A shoe manufacturer utilizing fossil fuels to power the factory.

• A group of friend traveling in the same car to their destination.

• A recycling company cleaning the plastic washed up in the shorelines.

• A family planting several oak trees in the backyard.

Answer explanation

Utilizing fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, contributing to the increase in trace gases in the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Two containers were placed in front of a lamp for 10 minutes. Both containers were filled with air. Additional carbon dioxide was added to one container. The final temperatures of both containers are shown.

What does this experiment prove?

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat.

• Carbon dioxide is not a greenhouse gas that traps heat.

• The experiment does not prove anything.

Answer explanation

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Which of the following human activities would NOT decrease the amount of CO₂ emitted into the atmosphere?

• Households recycling plastic, glass, and paper products

• Cutting trees in a large area to create land for a shopping mall

• Installing solar panels on the roof of new homes built around the city

• Taking public transportation as a way to commute

Answer explanation

Cutting trees in a large area to create land for a shopping mall would NOT decrease the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere as trees absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

The pie chart shows the greenhouse gas emissions in the Tennessee. What do the two highest sources of emissions in Tennessee have in common?

• They will reduce the amount of air pollution in their regions.

• They will supply cleaner & renewable energy for the state.

• They help to lower the amount of human fossil fuel use.

• They use the combustion of fossil fuels.

Answer explanation

The two highest sources of emissions in Tennessee have in common that they use the combustion of fossil fuels, which is the correct answer choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which student best explains climate change and how humans impact climate change with their actions?

• Terrell: Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that is released by animal and humans. This proves that greenhouse gases are not harmful and don't affect the climate.

• Brenda: Climate change only happens during the summer months when temperatures reach up to 100ºF. Winters are still cold, so humans impact the climate less in the winter than summer.

• Isabella: When the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, they warm the Earth. This change in climate causes ice caps to melt, habitat destruction, and severe weather changes like droughts.

• Jeremy: Humans do not have an impact on climate change but plants do. Global warming creates the perfect climate for plants to grow all around the globe. More plants means warmer Earth.

Answer explanation

Isabella: When the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, they warm the Earth. This change in climate causes ice caps to melt, habitat destruction, and severe weather changes like droughts.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Using the model, reorder the following gases in Earth's atmosphere from least to greatest.

• oxygen

• carbon dioxide

• nitrogen

The table indicates the percentage of some gases in the atmosphere of Mars. What is the major difference between Mars and Earth's atmosphere?

• Carbon dioxide is the most abundant gas on Earth but Argon is the most abundant gas on Mars.

• Nitrogen is the most abundant gas on Earth while carbon dioxide is the most abundant on Mars.

• Methane exists on Mars but cannot be found in Earth's atmosphere.

• There are no differences between the two planets' atmospheres.

Answer explanation

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas on Earth while carbon dioxide is the most abundant on Mars.

Which of the following are greenhouse gases?

• Carbon dioxide

• Methane

• Water vapor

• All answers are correct

Answer explanation

All answers are correct because carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are all greenhouse gases that contribute to trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

Without the Greenhouse Effect the Earth would be

• warm 

• cold

• dead

Answer explanation

Without the Greenhouse Effect, the Earth would be cold because the Greenhouse Effect traps heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5