Problem 1
Which of the following statements is the best analogy? a) An umbrella is to rain as the stratosphere is to solar radiation. b) An umbrella is to rain as the stratosphere is to ultraviolet radiation. c) An umbrella is to rain as the stratospheric ozone is to solar radiation. d) An umbrella is to rain as the stratospheric ozone is to ultraviolet radiation.
Problem 4
Reductions in ozone concentrations involve all aspects of the earth system. UV radiation that interacts with ozone comes from the exosphere (the sun). There is a potential effect on the biosphere, and the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere all have roles to play. Develop a concept map that illustrates the characteristics of ozone and includes references to different components of the earth system.
Problem 6
Suppose a volcanic eruption included large volumes of chlorine. What would likely happen to global stratospheric ozone levels and why?
Problem 7
Students in a college earth science class were asked on an exam to concisely describe the relationship between CFCs and ozone destruction. Analyze the following four students' responses and rank them from best to worst. Justify your answer choices. a) CFCs are manufactured gases that destroy the ozone and produce oxygen. b) Chlorine forms from the disintegration of manufactured gases. The chlorine reacts with ozone molecules to form two gases that cannot block incoming UV radiation. c) Oxygen molecules are broken down by UV radiation to free oxygen atoms that combine with chlorine monoxide to form new oxygen molecules and free chlorine. Chlorine helps break down CFCs with UV radiation. d) UV radiation breaks apart complex manufactured chlorofluorocarbons into its constituent atoms, including chlorine. Chlorine destroys ozone molecules as it cycles through a pair of reactions that produce free oxygen molecules. Finally, write your own answer to the question.
Problem 9
What is the difference between the greenhouse effect and global warming?
Problem 13
Where would you expect to see the most significant cooling effects due to aerosols? Explain your answer choice. a) Near the poles b) Around the equator c) Between \(30^{\circ}\) and \(60^{\circ} \mathrm{N}\) latitudes d) Between \(30^{\circ}\) and \(60^{\circ} \mathrm{S}\) latitudes
Problem 16
Explain why computer climate models are really "earth system" models.
Problem 17
Identify three actions a private citizen could take to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced on his or her behalf.
Problem 19
During a homework assignment, some students provided the following descriptions of global warming. Review the definitions and rank them in order of accuracy \((1=\) most accurate; 5 = least accurate). Global warming is the gradual warming of Earth duc to the greenhouse effect. Global warming is a gradual, long-term increase in the temperature of Earth due to an increase in the concentration of trace atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide that absorb heat from Earth's surface. Global warming occurs when the temperature of Earth slowly increases because a layer of chemicals in the atmosphere absorbs more heat than normal. Global warming is the result of the ozone layer in the atmosphere becoming thinner because of certai chemicals we use. This causes more solar radiation to reach Earth's surface, leading to higher average temperatures. Global warming is the warming of climate over many years as a result of natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions, that trap heat close to Earth's surface. Describe the criteria you used to rank the definitions. (For example, why are definitions you rank 1 and 2 better than those you rank 3 and 4 ?)
Problem 21
Find an online carbon footprint calculator and determine how much carbon you produce annually. What activities produce the most carbon?
