Term
| What influences the natural 'greenhouse effect'? |
|
Definition
| The presence of water vapour and natural carbon dioxide |
|
|
Term
| What is the definition of the greenhouse effect? |
|
Definition
| The trapping of heat in the atmosphere |
|
|
Term
| Why does the heat that radiates off the Earth have longer wavelengths? |
|
Definition
| Some of the short wavelength light is absorbed by the planet's surface |
|
|
Term
| What happens to infrared radiation reflected from Earth? |
|
Definition
| It is absorbed by water vapour and carbon dioxide and radiated back to the surface |
|
|
Term
| How do greenhosue gases keep Earth's temperature stable? |
|
Definition
| They allow solar radiation to reach Earth but block some of it from radiating back, keeping the heat in |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The gradual increase in planet-wide temperatures |
|
|
Term
| What are major greenhouse gases that lead to global warming? |
|
Definition
| Methane, water vapour, carbon dioxide, dinitrogen monoxide, ozone (O3) and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) |
|
|
Term
| Which greenhouse gas has increased the most due to human activity? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Why is methane in the atmosphere dangerous? |
|
Definition
| It is about 30 times more effective than carbon dioxide in its ability to trap radiation. |
|
|
Term
| Why is nitrous oxide in the atmosphere dangerous? |
|
Definition
| It is about 160 times more effective than carbon dioxide in its ability to trap radiation. |
|
|
Term
| Why is increased ozone in the atmosphere dangerous? |
|
Definition
| It is about 2000 times more effective than carbon dioxide in its ability to trap radiation. |
|
|
Term
| Why are CFCs in the atmosphere dangerous? |
|
Definition
| They are up to 25 000 times more effective than carbon dioxide in its ability to trap radiation. |
|
|
Term
| Which greenhosue gas is the most abundant in the atmosphere? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Which greenhosue gas is the least abundant in the atmosphere? |
|
Definition
| CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) |
|
|
Term
| Why have CFCs decreased in the atmosphere? |
|
Definition
| Their use has been controlled by legislation. |
|
|
Term
| What have been the effects of global warming throughout the last century? |
|
Definition
| An increase in temperature of 0.5°C, a 1% increase in precipitation and 15-20 cm higher sea levels. |
|
|
Term
| What are the main sources of methane? |
|
Definition
| Anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, ruminant animals, rice paddies, oil and gas fields |
|
|
Term
| What are the effects of global warming on life? |
|
Definition
| Life cycles of insects are affected, e.g. greater chance of malaria; loss of habitats (e.g. cold water fish) |
|
|
Term
| What are the effects of global warming on agriculture? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the effects of global warming on forests? |
|
Definition
| Insects and diseases may increase, higher chance of forest fires; rapid growth due to heat and rain |
|
|
Term
| What are the effects of global warming on water resources? |
|
Definition
| Decreased water quality due to flooding, both floods and droughts would be more severe |
|
|
Term
| What are the effects of global warming on coastal areas? |
|
Definition
| Raising of sea levels; coastal flooding |
|
|
