Earth Science Feedback Loops

As the Earth warms, organic matter in soil is decomposed faster, more carbon dioxide is released. The enhanced greenhouse effect occurs, the Earth warms further and rates of decomposition increase

• Positive Feedback

• Negative Feedback

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

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-ESS2-4

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

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

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

When the population of deer in an area begin to grow, they start overgrazing the vegetation that feeds them. When there is not enough vegetation to sustain the rapidly growing deer population, they will begin to die off until the vegetation grows back to normal levels and the deer will have enough food to repopulate again. 

• Positive

• Negative

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-1

NGSS.HS-LS2-2

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

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

Negative feedback loops result in stabilization of a system.

Negative feedback is a process that _______ the effects of a change.

• reduces

• amplifies

• has no effect

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

Positive feedback loops result in a system moving towards an extreme. Positive feedback is a process that _______ the effects of a change.

• reduces

• amplifies

• has no effect

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-3

Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback loop in Earth's climate system?

• Melting ice reduces albedo, leading to more warming and more ice melt.

• Increased cloud cover reflects sunlight, cooling the Earth.

• Increased plant growth absorbs more CO2, reducing warming.

• Volcanic eruptions release aerosols that cool the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

What role do feedback loops play in Earth's climate system?

• They stabilize the climate by counteracting changes.

• They amplify changes, leading to more extreme conditions.

• They have no effect on the climate system.

• They only occur in artificial systems.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4