Earth Systems Amplify

From about 120 to 80 million years ago, scientists think that a large amount of carbon dioxide was released from rock on the ocean floor, which led to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What happened to energy in the Earth system during this time?

• increased, because less energy entered than exited. This is because more exiting energy was redirected (bounced) back toward Earth.

• increased, because more energy entered than exited. This is because more exiting energy was redirected (bounced) back toward Earth.

• increased, because more energy entered than exited. This is because more energy was trapped by gases and held in the atmosphere.

• decreased, because less energy entered than exited. This is because more energy from the sun wasredirected (bounced) back toward outer space.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

A climatologist was working with a computer simulation that models Earth’s climate and atmosphere. She set up the controls of the simulation to decrease the amount of methane in the atmosphere. What should happen to the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface?

When methane decreases, the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface should

• change unpredictably.

• stay at a constant level.

• increase.

• decrease.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

A scientist says that even if the amount of energy entering the system from the sun doesn’t change, there can still be less energy entering than exiting the Earth system. What could change in the atmosphere that would cause this and what effect would this have on energy in the Earth system?

• Methane could increase, leading to more energy in the Earth system because more exiting energy would be redirected (bounced) back toward Earth.

• Methane could increase, leading to less energy in the Earth system because more energy from the sun would be redirected (bounced) back toward outer space.

• Methane could decrease, leading to less energy in the Earth system because less exiting energy would be redirected (bounced) back toward Earth.

• Methane could decrease, leading to less energy in the Earth system because less energy would be trapped by gases and held in the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Some scientists found that millions of years ago, there was a time when the number of trees increased very quickly, leading to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. What would you predict about the amount of energy absorbed by Earth's surface during this time?

• increased.

• decreased.

• stayed at a consistent level.

• changed unpredictably.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Which side of the mountain will get more rain?

• The right side: water is evaporating and precipitating (raining) before it gets to the other side.

• The left side: water is evaporating and precipitating (raining) before it gets to the other side.

• The right side: water is condensing and precipitating (raining) before it gets to the other side.

• The left side: water is condensing and precipitating (raining) before it gets to the other side.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How does the increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide affect the Earth's energy balance?

• Increases energy entering the Earth system by trapping more heat.

• Decreases energy entering the Earth system by reflecting sunlight.

• Has no effect on the Earth's energy balance.

• Increases energy exiting the Earth system by allowing more heat to escape.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

What is the role of the ocean in amplifying climate change effects?

• The ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, reducing its concentration in the atmosphere.

• The ocean releases stored carbon dioxide, increasing atmospheric levels.

• The ocean has no significant role in climate change.

• The ocean reflects sunlight, reducing global temperatures.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which of the following best describes a feedback loop in the Earth's climate system?

• A process where an initial change is amplified by subsequent effects.

• A process where an initial change is reduced by subsequent effects.

• A process that has no impact on the Earth's climate.

• A process that only occurs in the atmosphere.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

How does deforestation contribute to the amplification of climate change?

• By increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

• By decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

• By having no effect on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

• By increasing the Earth's albedo, reflecting more sunlight.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

What happens to the Earth's energy balance when ice caps melt?

• More energy is absorbed by the Earth, leading to warming.

• More energy is reflected back into space, leading to cooling.

• The energy balance remains unchanged.

• The Earth's energy balance becomes unpredictable.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5