Climate Change and Earth's History

What is the main reason for climate changes on Earth according to the text?

• The amount of energy entering and exiting Earth's system

• The position of the Earth in the solar system

• The presence of dinosaurs

• The amount of water in the oceans

What is the role of scientists in studying past climate changes?

• To find out what might happen as Earth's climate changes

• To discover new species of dinosaurs

• To measure the distance between Earth and the sun

• To predict the next ice age

What is always entering the Earth system as light from the sun?

• Energy

• Water

• Air

• Dust

What is the effect of energy being absorbed by Earth's surface?

• It warms the air near the surface

• It cools the air near the surface

• It causes earthquakes

• It creates new landforms

What happens to energy as it exits the Earth system?

• It goes out into space

• It stays within the atmosphere

• It turns into water

• It becomes part of the Earth's core

What type of organisms were found in the Arctic during the Eocene Period?

• Cold-water organisms

• Warm-water organisms

• Desert organisms

• Mountain organisms

What are gases that affect the Earth system by trapping heat called?

• Oxygen gases

• Greenhouse gases

• Noble gases

• Inert gases

What is one possible cause of warming in the Eocene Period mentioned in the text?

• A large asteroid hitting Earth

• Decrease in volcanic eruptions

• Increase in ocean salinity

• Decrease in atmospheric pressure

What was the landscape near the poles like during the Eocene Period?

• Deserts

• Swamps

• Ice fields

• Mountains

What gas was released from the ocean floor during the Eocene Period?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Methane

• Carbon monoxide