CH. 5 flashcard

Front

What is a greenhouse gas?

Back

A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Examples include water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide.

Front

What does an albedo of 0.9 indicate?

Back

An albedo of 0.9 means that 90% of incident light energy is reflected by a surface.

Front

Why do light-colored clothes help you feel cooler on a sunny day?

Back

Light-colored clothes reflect more light energy, reducing heat absorption and helping you feel cooler.

Front

Why are planets farther from the Sun generally colder?

Back

Planets farther from the Sun receive less intense ('weaker') incident sunlight, leading to lower temperatures.

Front

Where can carbon be stored?

Back

Carbon can be stored in vegetation, rocks, and the atmosphere.

Front

What is the greenhouse effect?

Back

The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Front

What role does water vapor play in the atmosphere?

Back

Water vapor is a significant greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and regulates temperature.

Front

What is albedo?

Back

Albedo is the measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed.

Front

How does vegetation contribute to carbon storage?

Back

Vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, storing carbon in plant biomass.

Front

What is the significance of methane as a greenhouse gas?

Back

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is much more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.