EEn.2.6.2

Which is least likely to cause changes in global climate?

• a tsunami event
• an El Niño event
• a volcanic eruption
• radiation from solar flares

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Which form of water, when present in the atmosphere, is MOST likely to contribute to global warming?

• cloud
• rain
• vapor
• snow

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

When a large meteor strikes Earth, environmental changes may result as dust particles scatter throughout the atmosphere. Which BEST describes how an increase in atmospheric particles would affect temperatures on the surface of Earth?

• Temperatures would increase because the particles would increase the greenhouse effect.
• Temperatures would increase because particles would trap the heat radiating from Earth at night.
• Temperatures would decrease because the particles would provide more substance for snow formation.
• Temperatures would decrease because the particles would absorb solar radiation before it could reach the surface of Earth.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Visible light reaches Earth’s surface while infrared light is trapped as heat. Which characteristic of Earth’s atmosphere causes this to happen?

• the ozone hole
• the inversion layer
• the greenhouse effect
• the atmospheric continuum

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Volcanoes release several gases during eruptions. Which of these gases has been shown to cause significant cooling of the climate for one or more years after an eruption?

• water vapor
• sulfur dioxide
• carbon dioxide
• hydrogen fluoride

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

El Niño and La Niña are sea-surface temperature changes that occur periodically. This graph shows how these events may affect hurricane landfalls in the U.S. The graph implies effects on which of these from El Niño and La Niña?

• solar intensity
• water infiltration
• soil moisture evaporation
• convection current intensity

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Earth’s ice sheets grow and retreat on a cycle of about 41,000 years. Which natural process is responsible for this cycle?

• the eccentricity of Earth’s orbit
• the wobble in Earth’s tilt on its axis
• the El Niño Southern Oscillation
• the changing size of the ozone hole

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

The table below lists the greenhouse gases emitted in the United States in 2012.Increasing concentrations of these gases leads to increases in global atmospheric temperatures. Methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases all trap more heat than the same amount of carbon dioxide does. Why should people still focus their efforts on limiting carbon dioxide emissions?

• The other gases circulate more readily through the global atmosphere.
• Humans generate significantly more CO2 than they do the other gases.
• Atmospheric reactions convert large quantities of other gases into CO2.
• CO2 is responsible for increasing the size of the ozone hole over Antarctica.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

In the Sahara Desert of Africa, great sandstorms stir dust into the atmosphere where it travels west across the Atlantic Ocean. This dust can affect the chemical composition of water and soil, decrease air quality, and impact climate as far away as the Caribbean and Florida. Which is the MOST likely way Saharan dust impacts climate in southern Florida?

• Dust reflects solar radiation, cooling the surface.
• Dust absorbs moisture in the clouds, reducing rainfall.
• Dust decreases static discharge, preventing lightning storms.
• Dust slows airflow, causing weather systems to stall over land.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

Eruption of a large volcano on a tropical island releases ash and gases into the atmosphere. After the eruption, the air temperatures on the island cool temporarily before returning to normal. Which is the MOST likely reason for the temporary cooling of the island?

• Water vapor condenses and causes precipitation.
• Large particles of ash blanket the ground surface.
• Fine particles of atmospheric dust block sunlight.
• Carbon dioxide levels increase in the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4