module63REVIEW

685

In this module, we learned that the concentrations of greenhouse gases have been steadily increasing in the past century and that the production of these gases differs among nations. At the same time, global temperatures have also increased since 1880, when direct measurements were first made. We also saw how scientists can estimate temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations for over 500,000 years using changes in species composition of foraminifera and examining the concentrations of gases in bubbles of air that are frozen in ancient ice. Together, these data suggest a close relationship between changes in CO2 and changes in global temperatures for more than 400,000 years. Using climate models, we can predict future changes in global temperatures under different scenarios of small, medium, or high increases in CO2 concentrations. In the next module, we will examine the consequences of current and future changes in global temperatures.

Module 63 AP® Review Questions

Question 1

1. What is the evidence that solar radiation is less important to global warming than the increase in greenhouse gases?

  1. Temperatures have increased more in the summer than the winter.

  2. Temperatures have increased more in the winter than the summer.

  3. Temperature increases have been uneven across the globe.

  4. There is an historic correlation of CO2 and temperature.

  5. There is a lack of temperature change in some areas.

Question 2

2. If the annual rate of CO2 increase is 1.5 ppm and the concentration in 2010 is 390 ppm, what concentration would you expect in 2100?

  1. 420 ppm

  2. 480 ppm

  3. 505 ppm

  4. 525 ppm

  5. 540 ppm

Question 3

3. How much has the average global temperature increased in the last 120 years?

  1. 0.6°F

  2. 1.0°F

  3. 1.4°F

  4. 2.7°F

  5. 3.2°F

Question 4

4. Which data are used to estimate historic temperatures and carbon dioxide concentrations?

  1. Marine organism fossils

  2. Air trapped in ice

  3. Glacier depth

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. I and III only

  4. II and III only

  5. I, II, and III

Question 5

5. Which is an example of a negative feedback?

  1. Higher air temperatures cause increased ocean evaporation.

  2. Higher air temperatures cause increased decomposition in soils.

  3. Lower concentrations of CO2 cause increased absorption of oceanic CO2.

  4. Low albedo causes decreased reflection of sunlight.

  5. Higher CO2 concentrations cause increased photosynthesis.