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What are greenhouse gases?

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation.

List two major greenhouse gases and their sources.

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) - comes from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. 2. Methane (CH₄) - released from landfills, livestock digestion, and wetlands.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is the process where greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, creating a ‘blanket’ that keeps the planet warm.

What short-term effect do volcanoes have on Earth's temperature?

Volcanoes emit ash and aerosols that reflect sunlight, cooling the planet.

What long-term effect do volcanic CO₂ emissions have?

CO₂ emissions from eruptions can increase global temperatures over centuries.

Why does Earth experience seasons?

Earth experiences seasons due to its tilt of 23.5° on its axis.

What happens if Earth’s tilt increases to 33.5°?

There would be hotter summers, colder winters, and more extreme seasonal differences.

Why are equatorial regions the warmest on Earth?

Equatorial regions receive direct sunlight all year long, which means more energy per area due to high insolation.

What are the six key processes of the water cycle?

1. Evaporation, 2. Condensation, 3. Precipitation, 4. Runoff, 5. Infiltration, 6. Transpiration.

Evaporation

1. Evaporation: Water from oceans and lakes turns into vapor.

Condensation

1. Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms clouds.

Precipitation

1. Precipitation: Water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Runoff

1. Runoff: Water flows across land into bodies of water.

Infiltration

1. Infiltration: Water soaks into the ground, replenishing groundwater.

Transpiration

1. Transpiration: Water vapor is released from plants into the atmosphere.

What is the main energy source driving the water cycle?

The Sun drives the entire water cycle by heating water and causing evaporation.

How do forests influence carbon dioxide levels?

Forests absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis, and deforestation increases CO₂ in the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect.

What are the three processes that return carbon to the atmosphere?

1. Respiration, 2. Decomposition, 3. Combustion.

• Respiration

• Respiration: Both animals and plants release CO₂ during respiration.

Decomposition

• Decomposition: The breakdown of dead organisms releases carbon back into the atmosphere.

Combustion

• Combustion: The burning of fossil fuels or biomass releases significant amounts of CO₂.

What is the definition of Milankovitch cycles?

Milankovitch cycles are long-term changes in Earth’s orbit and orientation that affect climate over tens of thousands of years.

Name the three types of Milankovitch cycles.

1. Eccentricity, 2. Obliquity, 3. Precession.

What does eccentricity refer to in Milankovitch cycles?

Eccentricity refers to the shape change of Earth’s orbit from circular to elliptical, occurring approximately every 100,000 years.

How do scientists use tree rings in paleoclimatology?

Scientists analyze tree rings to determine past climate conditions; thicker rings indicate good growth years and thinner rings indicate poor growth years.

What can gas bubbles in ice tell scientists?

Gas bubbles trapped in glacial ice provide information about past atmospheric composition and climate.

What do the layers in an ice core indicate?

Ice core layers reflect seasonal snowfall patterns; thicker layers indicate heavy snow years, while thinner layers indicate light snow years.

What diagrams should students be able to label and explain for their exam?

1. Earth's Tilt & Seasons, 2. Water Cycle, 3. Carbon Cycle, 4. Milankovitch Cycles.