Energy Balance
What happens when equal amounts of energy enter and leave Earth’s system?
The temperature stays stable.
Name one greenhouse gas discussed in the chapter.
Carbon dioxide or methane.
Climate change happens when Earth’s temperatures _______ over time.
Change.
What tool did students use to investigate climate change?
A simulation.
What happens if Earth absorbs more energy than it releases?
The temperature increases.
What happens when more energy enters Earth’s system than exits?
Earth warms and temperatures increase.
What do greenhouse gases do to outgoing energy?
They redirect some energy back toward Earth’s surface.
What can happen if more energy stays in Earth’s system?
Earth becomes warmer.
What did the physical models help students understand?
How energy enters and exits Earth’s system.
What happens to outgoing energy when greenhouse gases increase?
Less energy leaves the Earth system.
What happens when less energy enters Earth’s system than exits?
Earth cools, and temperatures decrease.
Which two gases were investigated in the simulation?
Carbon dioxide and methane.
What is one cause of climate warming discussed in this chapter?
Increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
What did students track in the simulation?
Energy movement through the Earth system.
Which is more likely to cause warming: more energy entering or more energy exiting?
More energy entering.
What part of Earth absorbs energy from the Sun?
Earth’s surface.
Why do greenhouse gases cause warming?
Because they decrease the amount of energy leaving Earth’s system.
Why do scientists study atmospheric gases to understand climate change?
Because gases affect how much energy enters and leaves Earth’s system.
Why are models useful in science?
They help explain and test scientific ideas.
Why does methane contribute to climate change?
Because it redirects outgoing energy back toward Earth’s surface.
Why is energy balance important to Earth’s climate?
Because changes in the balance affect global temperatures and climate change.
What happens to Earth’s temperature when greenhouse gases increase?
Global temperatures increase.
Explain the connection between greenhouse gases and energy flow.
Greenhouse gases redirect outgoing energy back toward Earth’s surface, reducing the amount of energy leaving the system and causing warming.
What did students conclude after observing greenhouse gases in the simulation?
Greenhouse gases redirect outgoing energy back to Earth, causing warming.
Daily Double - Explain how changes in atmospheric gases can change Earth’s climate
Greenhouse gases trap more energy in Earth’s system, causing temperatures to rise.