Causes
Name the most common greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide or CO2
When there are fewer greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, how is the mean surface temperature impacted?
It will be cooler since there are fewer gases to trap the thermal energy.
What is the thin layer of gases around the Earth called?
The atmosphere
What is the lower boundary of the greenhouse gas system?
Earth's surface
What famous novel was written by Mary Shelley during The Little Ice Age?
Frankenstein
Name two natural processes that can cause changes in the mean surface temperature.
Volcanoes and sunspots
True or false: Dropping sea levels is an effect of current changes in climate.
False! Since the temperature is increasing, sea levels will rise due to melting ice and snow.
What are fossil fuels?
Natural carbon fuels that form over millions of years in the Earth
What is the upper boundary of the greenhouse gas system?
The Earth's atmosphere
What was the Paris Agreement?
It was a pact made by many countries to decrease the amount of CO2 they release annually.
What are the top two human behaviors that contribute to increasing the mean surface temperature?
Transportation and electricity
What is something that could cause a reduction in the release of greenhouse gases?
Answers vary.
What are the visible light particles from the sun called?
Photons
List three components of the greenhouse gas system (DO NOT include boundaries).
1. greenhouse gases
2. thermal energy
3. infrared radiation
Name a source of the greenhouse gas methane.
Cow manure, rotting food and plants
True or false: Greenhouse gases decrease the amount of thermal energy that exits the atmosphere.
True!
List three ways that the environment is impacted by global warming.
Answers will vary.
What is the name of the energy that is absorbed by greenhouse gases?
Infrared radiation
What is the relationship between the concentration of greenhouse gases and the mean surface temperature?
If there is a higher concentration of greenhouse gases, the mean surface temperature increases.
Which greenhouse gas has the chemical symbols MH4?
Methane
Why would a greenhouse gas with three atoms create more heat than one with two atoms?
Wee-woo! If there are more molecules, they can take in more radiation and release more heat.
What degree of increase in mean surface temperature do scientists believe we need to avoid reaching?
2 degrees C
Edgar lets his old, white van idle while he delivers flyers.
Identify the behavior and the technology in this sentence.
Behavior: letting the van idle
Technology: the old, white van
What would happen if there were no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
The temperature would be very cold.
How does the industrial food chain contribute to global warming?
Answers vary.