The Earth System Amplify

A climatologist was working with a computer simulation that models Earth’s climate and atmosphere. She set up the controls of the simulation to decrease the amount of methane in the atmosphere. What should happen to the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface?

When methane decreases, the amount of energy absorbed by Earth’s surface should

• change unpredictably.

• stay at a constant level.

• increase.

• decrease.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Eleanor wants to do an experiment in order to analyze what is in the atmosphere. What do you think she will find?

• The atmosphere is made of one kind of gas.

• The atmosphere is made of different kinds of gases, and each forms its own layer.

• The atmosphere is made of a mix of different kinds of gases.

• The atmosphere isn’t made of anything.

What happens when energy hits sulfur dioxide?

• When energy hits sulfur dioxide, more energy is created.

• Sulfur dioxide traps some energy and holds it in the atmosphere.

• Sulfur dioxide redirects (bounces) some incoming energy from the sun back toward outer space.

• Energy always passes through sulfur dioxide.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

Scientists who study the atmosphere often need to take samples of the atmosphere in order to learn more. They take some atmosphere samples near the ground. They take other atmosphere samples high in the air, while flying in a helicopter. What would the scientists find out about the samples?

• Both samples are made of one kind of gas.

• Both samples are made of a mix of several different kinds of gases.

• Neither sample is made of anything.

• The samples are different from each other because each gas forms its own layer in the atmosphere.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Fossil evidence from the time of Tyrannosaurus rex (85–65 million years ago) shows less energy entered the Earth system than exited, even though energy from the sun didn’t change. How might the amount of carbon dioxide changed to cause this, and how would that have changed the energy absorbed by Earth’s surface??

• Carbon dioxide decreased so there was less energy in the Earth system and less energy absorbed by Earth's surface.

• Carbon dioxide decreased so there was more energy in the Earth system and more energy absorbed by Earth's surface.

• Carbon dioxide increased so there was more energy in the Earth system and more energy absorbed by Earth's surface.

• Carbon dioxide increased so there was less energy in the Earth system and less energy absorbed by Earth's surface.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

How does the Earth System Amplify the effects of greenhouse gases?

• By increasing the Earth's albedo

• By decreasing the Earth's albedo

• By increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases

• By decreasing the concentration of greenhouse gases

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

What role do oceans play in the Earth System Amplification process?

• They absorb carbon dioxide, reducing its concentration in the atmosphere

• They release carbon dioxide, increasing its concentration in the atmosphere

• They have no effect on carbon dioxide levels

• They only affect methane levels

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Which of the following is a feedback mechanism that amplifies climate change?

• Ice-albedo feedback

• Cloud feedback

• Ocean circulation feedback

• Volcanic feedback

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

What happens to the Earth's temperature when ice caps melt?

• It decreases due to increased albedo

• It increases due to decreased albedo

• It remains constant

• It fluctuates unpredictably

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

How does deforestation contribute to the Earth System Amplification?

• By increasing carbon sequestration

• By decreasing carbon sequestration

• By increasing oxygen levels

• By decreasing oxygen levels

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-6