Positive and Negative Feedback Loops

As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, the temperature of the Earth rises. As the Earth warms the rate of photosynthesis in plants increases, more carbon dioxide is therefore removed from the atmosphere by plants, reducing the greenhouse effect and reducing global temperatures.

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

As the Earth warms, increased evaporation produces more clouds. Clouds increase albedo, reflecting more light away from the Earth. The temperature falls. Rates of evaporation fall

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

As the Earth warms, evaporation increases. Snowfall at high latitudes increases, icecaps enlarge. More energy is reflected by increased albedo of ice cover. The Earth cools. Rates of evaporation fall.

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

As the Earth warms, polar icecaps melt, releasing large numbers of icebergs into oceans. Warm ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream are disrupted by additional freshwater input into oceans. Reduced transfer of energy to the poles reduces temperature at high altitudes. Ice sheets reform and icebergs retreat. Warm currents are re-established.

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Your body temperature rises as you walk around outside in Bangladesh on a hot afternoon. The sensors in your skin detect the rise in your surface temperature so you start to sweat.

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

In some developing countries poverty causes illness and contributes to poor standards of education. In the absence of knowledge of family planning methods and hygiene, this contributes to population growth and illness, adding further to the causes of poverty; “a vicious circle of poverty.”

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

As the Earth warms, ice cover melts, exposing soil or water. Albedo decreases. More energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface. Global temperature rises. More ice melts.

• Positive Feedback Loop

• Negative Feedback Loop

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Does the graph show positive or negative feedback?

• Positive, because when the red line shifts, the blue one does also

• Negative, because the blue line starts below equilibrium

• Negative, because the two actions are keeping each other near equilibrium

• Both positive and negative because the graph moves up and down

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

As the Earth warms, increased evaporation produces more clouds. Clouds increase albedo, reflecting more light away from the Earth. The temperature falls. Rates of evaporation fall.

• Positive Feedback Loop

• Negative Feedback Loop

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

A organization posts an advertisement with a very "click-baity" title and image on a social media platform. The title and image draw in people to click on the ad. As the ad receives more views, the algorithm shows the ad to more people.

• Positive Feedback Loop

• Negative Feedback Loop