Earth's Atmosphere
What is the most common gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
(15 seconds)
Nitrogen (N2)
Methane (CH4) is a hydrocarbon with only single bonds. What kind of hydrocarbon is it?
(15 seconds)
Alkane
Name one thing that adds carbon into air.
(10 seconds)
Animal Respiration
Decaying Organisms
Organic Carbon
Root/Plant Respiration
Factory/Vehicle Emissions
Humans
Name 1 greenhouse gas.
(15 seconds)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Ozone
Water (H2O)
Name one energy source that doesn't use carbon as a fuel.
(15 seconds)
Solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, nuclear
What is the second most common gas in the Earth's atmosphere?
(15 seconds)
Oxygen (O2)
Which type of hydrocarbon is used as fuel?
(15 seconds)
Alkanes
What is the largest contributor to carbon in the air?
(15 seconds)
Burning fossil fuels.
(20 seconds)
The gases which surround the Earth act as a blanket, keeping the Earth warm and maintaining its temperature.
What are the two main sources of energy in the U.S.?
(coal, natural gas, nuclear, petroleum, renewable sources)
(20 seconds)
Petroleum & Natural Gas
What gas has been steadily increasing in the past 100 years?
(15 seconds)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
This hydrocarbon is used to make plastics and alcohol.
(15 seconds)
Alkenes
What absorbs carbon from the air?
(15 seconds)
Photosynthesis, plants, trees, algae, etc
Name one feedback loop in the greenhouse effect.
(20 seconds)
Water cycle
Methane cycle
Carbon cycle
Explain one feedback loop from the greenhouse effect.
Is it positive or negative? How?
(60 seconds)
Water cycle (positive):
Water evaporates -> Earth heats up -> Repeat
Methane cycle (positive):
Ice melts -> Earth heats up -> Repeat
Carbon cycle (negative):
Too much carbon dioxide -> Plants Grow -> Too little carbon dioxide -> Plants Die -> Repeat
What does the ozone do?
(20 seconds)
Protect the Earth from the Sun's harmful UV (light) rays.
Which type of hydrocarbon has the most energy inside of it?
(15 seconds)
Alkyne
Name 3 places where carbon is stored.
(30 seconds)
In the ocean
In the air/atmosphere
In rocks/ground
In animals
In plants
In living things
What is the difference between a positive and negative feedback loop?
(30 seconds)
Positive: Always increasing
Negative: Staying at one point
Which hydrocarbons do we not use as fuel and why?
(30 seconds)
Alkenes and Alkynes
Too expensive, better used elsewhere
What element is the ozone made of?
(15 seconds)
Oxygen (O3)
Acetylene is used in welding. Which type of hydrocarbon is acetylene?
(15 seconds)
Alkyne
What type of feedback loop is the carbon cycle (without humans), and what does that feedback loop mean?
(60 seconds)
Negative (counterbalancing) feedback loop
The carbon cycle maintains (counterbalances) the temperature of Earth, slowing down warming (without human involvement)
What percentage of the sun's energy manages to reach the surface?
(15 seconds)
~48-51%
Give me a convincing speech on why we should use coal and oil as energy sources. Good luck.
(60 seconds, anyone at the table)
You didn't convince me, but it was good enough to get points!