University:
Monmouth University
Course:
PH-101 | Physics in Our Lives
Academic year:

2023
Views:

425

Pages:

2
Author:

Ezekiel Collins

An Inconvenient Truth 1. What is the Greenhouse Effect? Draw, label and explain how that happens. (Draw a quick sketch and be ready to explain.) Sun rays (uv radiation) comes into the Earth’s atmosphere, heats the Earth, and rays that are normally reflected (mostly from the ocean) into space are absorbed by greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) and trap heat in the atmosphere. 2. What is the relationship between Carbon Dioxide and Temperature based on historical data? Carbon dioxide and temperature have a direct relationship with each other. As carbon dioxide in the atmosphere goes up, temperature in the atmosphere goes up, as seen below. 3. What are Fossil Fuels? Can you name the three major fossil fuels? Fuels formed from decayed plants and animals from millions of years ago underground. Coal (solid), oil/gasoline (liquid), propane/natural gas (gas) 4. What are two reasons we should/need to remove ourselves from the dependency of fossil fuels burning and consumption? 1. They are a limited resource, takes millions of years to form and lots of dead plants and animals. We are using them much faster than they are forming. 2. Burning fossil fuels creates carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to increased temperature. 5. What are three outcomes to increased temperatures and thus climate change in our future? State what each problem is because of increased warming and what the outcome would be. Problem: Problem: Problem: Glaciers are melting at north and south poles of the Earth. Increased storm severity. Larger and more frequent storms due to increased energy in the atmosphere. Extremes of drought and flooding caused by changes in ocean currents and temperature in areas. Outcome: Outcome: Rising sea levels, no longer able to live in low lying coastal areas. Loss of habitat for animals (ex. Polar bears) Outcome: Increased property damage, casualties, crop damage, etc. Loss of crops, starvation, shortage of fresh water, and then flooding causing property damage, loss of crops, etc.