Unit 9: Investigating Climate Change

Which of the following gases DOES NOT trap heat?

• carbon dioxide
• nitrogen
• water vapor
• methane

Compared to other greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is very effective in trapping heat near the surface of the Earth.

• true
• false

Visible light reaches Earth’s surface while infrared light is trapped as heat. Which characteristic of Earth’s atmosphere causes this to happen?

• the hole in the ozone
• the greenhouse effect
• atmospheric pressure
• the inversion layer

The average temperature of the surface of Earth has increased approximately 1°C in the past century. Which reason best explains this increase in temperature?

• lower levels of ozone in the atmosphere
• lower levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere
• higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• higher levels of oxygen in the atmosphere

Which of the following is the best conclusion that can be made from this graph?

• atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been decreasing since 1960
• Hawaii has a lot of carbon dioxide
• humans have been working hard to decrease carbon dioxide levels
• atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased steadily since 1960

The Carbon Cycle naturally moves carbon on earth by

• Releasing it from rocks

• Absorbing it into the oceans

• Photosynthesis and respiration

• All of these processes move carbon

Humans burn fossil fuels and release CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) into the atmosphere by

• Breathing out CO2

• Drinking water

• Cooking a steak

• Burning coal, natural gas, and oil

Why is the greenhouse effect important to us?

• Without it we would all be a frozen ball of ice

• It traps enough heat in the atmosphere to keep us warm

• A small amount of greenhouse gas is necessary for life to exist

• All of these

What is the difference between weather and climate? (CHOOSE 2 ANSWERS)

• Weather is the temperature outside now

• Climate is total snowfall

• Climate is the average weather over a long period of time

• Weather is more accurate

What is the greenhouse effect?

• The trapping of warmth in the atmosphere due to greenhouse gasses

• The average weather over a long period of time

• The current conditions in the atmosphere

• An instagram filter that makes everything look green