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In this module, we considered global change, global climate change, and global warming. In a natural process known as the greenhouse effect, visible light and ultraviolet light from the Sun strike our planet and this energy is converted to infrared radiation that is emitted back to the atmosphere. A tiny percentage of gases in the atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, absorb this infrared radiation and emit a portion of it back to Earth and this causes the planet to warm even more. Although most greenhouse gases have natural sources, human activities have increased the concentration of these gases in the atmosphere and produced new chemicals that are potent greenhouse gases. In the next module, we will examine the evidence that this increase in greenhouse gases has caused our planet to become warmer during the past 2 centuries.
Module 62 AP® Review Questions
1. The greenhouse gas with the highest greenhouse warming potential is
carbon dioxide.
methane.
water vapor.
chlorofluorocarbon.
nitrous oxide.
2. Methane is naturally produced by
decomposition.
volcanic eruptions.
denitrification.
evapotranspiration.
forest fires.
3. The greenhouse effect is due to
the absorption and reradiation of infrared radiation by the atmosphere.
the reflection of ultraviolet radiation by the atmosphere.
the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the atmosphere.
the reflection of infrared radiation from Earth’s surface.
the absorption of ultraviolet radiation by Earth.
4. Most nitrous oxide emissions are from
fossil fuel combustion.
agricultural practices.
refrigerants.
deforestation.
industrial processes.
5. Particulate matter can increase global warming by
reacting with chlorofluorocarbons.
reducing surface absorption of ultraviolet radiation.
producing additional nitrous oxides.
reflecting radiation.
lowering surface albedo.