Effects of Atmospheric Gases

In Lesson 3 of Earth's Changing Climate, students explore changes to the atmosphere using a climate simulation. The lesson involves experimenting with different gases to understand their impact on Earth's energy absorption and temperature. Students conduct tests, analyze results, and discover key concepts about the role of carbon dioxide and methane in climate change. The lesson concludes with a discussion of findings and a preview of future lessons.

What is the main focus of Lesson 3 in Earth's changing climate series?

• Studying the Earth's core

• Investigating changes to the atmosphere

• Analyzing volcanic activity

• Exploring the ocean currents

What is the purpose of using the Earth's changing climate simulation?

• To study the effects of solar flares

• To measure the Earth's gravitational pull

• To explore changes in atmospheric gases and their effects

• To predict future weather patterns

What does 'ppm' stand for in the context of atmospheric gases?

• Particles per meter

• Pounds per meter

• Pressure per molecule

• Parts per million

What should you do after running a test in the simulation?

• Ignore the results and start over

• Change all the gases at once

• Immediately close the simulation

• Record the results and reheat the sim for the next test

What happens to the temperature and ice levels when carbon dioxide is increased in the simulation?

• Temperature decreases, ice levels remain constant

• Temperature remains constant, ice levels increase

• Temperature increases, ice levels decrease

• Temperature decreases, ice levels increase

How does methane behave in the simulation compared to carbon dioxide?

• It has no effect on temperature or ice

• It behaves similarly, increasing temperature and decreasing ice

• It only affects the energy absorption

• It decreases temperature and increases ice

What is the effect of increasing sulfur dioxide in the simulation?

• Temperature and energy absorption increase, ice decreases

• Temperature and energy absorption decrease, ice increases

• No change in temperature or ice

• Only energy absorption increases

What was observed when nitrogen dioxide was tested in the simulation?

• It caused a significant increase in temperature

• It decreased the energy absorption

• It increased the ice levels

• It had no noticeable effect on climate change

What key concept was discovered regarding carbon dioxide and methane?

• They are the only gases in the atmosphere

• They have no impact on Earth's climate

• Their changes in the atmosphere affect energy absorption

• They only affect the Earth's magnetic field

What will be explored in the next lesson?

• The effects of ocean currents on climate

• Actual data from scientists on atmospheric gases

• The impact of deforestation on climate

• The role of the sun in climate change