Environmental Science Exam – Climate Change

Match each atmospheric gas with its description.

• Multiple sources, including the production and application of fertilizer and car exhaust.

• Multiple sources, including the production and application of fertilizer and car exhaust.

• Greenhouse gas that humans produce the most of, mostly from burning fossil fuels.

• Phased out in the 1980s because they were found to be depleting the ozone layer.

• Phased out in the 1980s because they were found to be depleting the ozone layer.

• Greenhouse gas that humans produce the most of, mostly from burning fossil fuels.

• Released during the drilling of natural gas wells, and through natural processes like bacterial digestion in cattle.

• Naturally present in the form of clouds.

• Naturally present in the form of clouds.

• Released during the drilling of natural gas wells, and through natural processes like bacterial digestion in cattle.

Imagine you're on a journey with Aria and Daniel, exploring the different layers of Earth's atmosphere. Which of these descriptions fits the stratosphere, where Aria insists on wearing sunglasses?

• Temperature quickly drops as you increase in altitude.

• The lowest level of the atmosphere.

• The ozone layer is found here.

• The layer of the atmosphere that humans and other living organisms reside in.

Answer explanation

The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful UV radiation. In contrast, the troposphere is where weather occurs and is the lowest atmospheric layer, making the ozone layer a distinguishing feature of the stratosphere.

Imagine you're a time-traveling scientist like David, exploring the Precambrian period! How did the evolution of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, those tiny green pioneers, influence the Earth’s climate?

• Cyanobacteria absorbed carbon dioxide and released oxygen, causing global cooling.

• Cyanobacteria absorbed carbon dioxide and released oxygen, causing global warming.

• Cyanobacteria produced large amounts of methane, causing global warming.

• The cyanobacteria did not have a significant impact on the Earth’s climate.

Answer explanation

Cyanobacteria played a crucial role in Earth's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. This process reduced greenhouse gases, leading to global cooling during the Precambrian period.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Imagine you're on a thrilling adventure with Aria, Noah, and Ava, exploring the mysteries of our planet. They discover that the Earth’s climate can be influenced by several naturally-occurring factors. Which of the following do they find?

• Volcanic activity.

• Changes in the sun’s energy output.

• Fluctuations in the Earth’s tilt or orbit.

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

The Earth's climate is affected by various natural factors, including volcanic activity, changes in the sun's energy output, and fluctuations in the Earth's tilt or orbit. Therefore, the correct answer is 'All of the above.'

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Hey climate detectives! According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fourth report, "Most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations." Rohan is curious, what does anthropogenic mean?

• Naturally generated.

• Human generated.

• Unexplained.

Answer explanation

The term 'anthropogenic' refers to effects or processes that are derived from human activities. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Human generated,' indicating that greenhouse gas concentrations are primarily caused by human actions.

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NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS3-6

Hey science explorers! Jackson and Aria are on a mission to understand the famous Keeling Curve, which has been tracking atmospheric carbon dioxide since the late 1950s. Can you help them figure out why the measurements seem to dance up and down?

• Carbon dioxide is lower during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter.

• Carbon dioxide is higher during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter.

• Carbon dioxide is lower during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.

• Carbon dioxide is higher during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.

• Carbon dioxide varies constantly due to atmospheric wind currents.

Answer explanation

The Keeling curve oscillates because carbon dioxide levels are higher during the Northern Hemisphere's winter due to reduced photosynthesis, while they are lower in summer when plants absorb more CO2.

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Ava, Lily, and Noah are on a thrilling adventure to discover where the atmospheric measurements of carbon dioxide are taken. Can you help them find the right location?

• Near a large forest.

• In the midst of a city.

• Antarctica.

• In Hawai’i, in the midst of the Pacific Ocean.

Answer explanation

Atmospheric measurements of carbon dioxide are primarily taken in remote locations like Hawai’i, which is ideal due to its distance from pollution sources, ensuring accurate data. This makes it the correct choice over the other options.

Imagine you're a detective like Anika, trying to solve the mystery of Earth's past climates! Most of the clues we have from before the 1800s come from proxies. Which of these is an example of another proxy measurement?

• Measuring the current outside temperature with a thermometer.

• Collecting rainwater over the course of 10 years to determine average precipitation.

• Estimating the growth rate of a tree by examining its rings.

• These are all examples of proxies.

Answer explanation

Estimating the growth rate of a tree by examining its rings is a proxy measurement, as it provides indirect evidence of past climate conditions. The other options do not represent proxy measurements.

Imagine you're an ancient ice detective like Evelyn, uncovering secrets from a 300,000-year-old ice cube! What atmospheric gases would you find, and what mysteries could they reveal?

• Oxygen, the ratio of its isotopes identifies temperature.

• Nitrogen levels are analyzed to determine approximate sea level.

• Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane can be directly measured.

• Argon, a noble gas that is only present if there is life nearby.

Answer explanation

Oxygen isotopes indicate past temperatures, while greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane provide direct evidence of historical climate conditions, making these analyses crucial for understanding ancient environments.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Imagine you're a time-traveling detective like Emma, trying to solve the mystery of Earth's climate history. Which of these statements accurately describes the climate period the Earth is currently in?

• An interglacial period within an ice age.

• A glacial period within an ice age.

• The Earth is currently not in an ice age.

Answer explanation

The Earth is currently in an interglacial period, specifically the Holocene, which is part of the ongoing Quaternary ice age. This means we are experiencing warmer conditions between glacial periods.

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-5