Climate Change and Energy Systems

This lesson explores Earth's changing climate, focusing on past climate changes during the Eocene and cryogenic periods. It investigates how carbon dioxide and methane affect energy entering and exiting Earth's system, using simulations to model these effects. The lesson aims to understand the impact of greenhouse gases on global temperatures and ice coverage.

What is the main investigation question for this lesson?

• How do carbon dioxide and methane affect Earth's energy system?

• What causes the seasons to change on Earth?

• What is the role of the sun in Earth's climate?

• How does the water cycle impact climate?

What happens to Earth's temperature when more energy enters than exits the system?

• The temperature fluctuates randomly.

• The temperature increases.

• The temperature remains the same.

• The temperature decreases.

During the Eocene period, what was one of the main reasons for the increase in Earth's temperature?

• Decrease in sunlight

• Increase in ocean salinity

• Increase in volcanic activity

• Decrease in carbon dioxide

What is the role of methane in Earth's climate system during the Eocene period?

• It stabilizes Earth's temperature.

• It decreases Earth's temperature.

• It has no effect on Earth's temperature.

• It increases Earth's temperature.

What is a greenhouse gas mentioned in the lesson?

• Oxygen

• Nitrogen

• Carbon dioxide

• Helium

What is a significant characteristic of the Cryogenic period?

• Earth experienced extreme heat.

• Earth was mostly covered in ice.

• Earth was covered in lush forests.

• Earth had no atmosphere.

What effect does increased ice coverage have on Earth's energy system?

• It decreases atmospheric pressure.

• It increases volcanic activity.

• It reflects more sunlight.

• It absorbs more sunlight.

What is the albedo effect?

• The trapping of heat by greenhouse gases.

• The emission of heat from Earth's core.

• The reflection of sunlight by Earth's surface.

• The absorption of sunlight by Earth's surface.

In the simulation, what happens when carbon dioxide levels are increased?

• The Earth's temperature remains constant.

• The Earth's temperature increases.

• The Earth's temperature fluctuates.

• The Earth's temperature decreases.

How does the simulation help in understanding climate changes?

• By illustrating the water cycle.

• By showing the impact of human activities on climate.

• By modeling the effects of different gases on Earth's temperature.

• By predicting future weather patterns.