Download CC.6 Lesson Handout

The atmosphere of Earth is what allows life to be sustainable.
Without the atmosphere, temperatures would be extreme. The days would
be scorching hot and nights would be freezing cold.
Heat Sink: ____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Examples:
 __________: ________________________________________
 __________: ________________________________________
o The temperature of water changes very little. This is why
on warm summer days the water temperature is usually
cooler then the air
 ___________________________________________________
Albedo: ______________________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
Changes in Albedo
 Warming Effect
o Melting ______________________.
o Less _________________________
o More ________________________
o Temperature __________________
o More _____________________ …
 Cooling
o Volcanic Eruptions spew ___________
o More ___________________________
o Less ____________________________
o Temperature _____________________
o Snow ___________________________
o Albedo __________________________
Some of the energy from the Sun that is absorbed is ______________.
This is why the planet is not in a constant state of _____________ even
though it is always ______________________________________________
Greenhouse Effect: ___________________________________________
________________________________________________________
This is a natural part of Earth’s climate system. It helps keep Earth’s
temperature suitable for life.
The gases that absorb heat form Sun and Earth’s surface are called
_______________. The gases then radiate the heat back to Earth to help
warm the planet.
Type of
Greenhouse Gas
Common Sources
 Evaporation of
_________
 Given off by ________,
___________________
___________________
Other Details
 Most abundant greenhouse gas
 Scientists believe it accounts
for about 70% of the
greenhouse effect
 Amount in the atmosphere
varies with temperature
(higher temperature results in
more water vapour)
 Produced during cellular
respiration and certain plan
processes
 ___________________
 ___________________
____________________
____________________
 Second most abundant
greenhouse gas
 Produced in and by the cells of
most living organisms through
cellular respiration
 Certain species of
____________ and other
microorganisms that live
in and around bogs, wet
lands, melting permafrost
 Certain species of
bacteria that live in the
gut of some animals such
as _________________
 Cents and other openings
in _________________
____________________
 Bacteria that live in
____________________
_____________________
_____________________
 A byproduct of certain types
of cellular processes that
enable some species of
microorganisms to extract
energy from food in the
absence of oxygen
 Produced when certain species
of bacteria break down
nitrogen-rich compounds for
food
.
Heat Distribution


Homework:
1. Describe what happens to solar energy once it reaches Earth.
2. In terms of energy, why does Earth’s temperature remain fairly
constant?
3. In terms of absorbed and reflected energy what would have to happen
for Earth to have cooler temperatures?
4. Fresh snow has an albedo of about 85% and old snow has an albedo of
about 50%. Which will reflect more of the Sun’s radiation? Why?
5. Scientists think that a giant meteorite crashed into Earth millions of
years ago, resulting in the extinction of dinosaurs. The meteorite
impact produced a thick cloud of particles that prevented some
sunlight from reaching Earth, Why do you think this might have lead
to the extinction of dinosaurs?
6. The ice caps at Earth’s poles are becoming smaller as the ice melts.
Explain how the melting of the polar ice caps might change Earth’s
temperature.
7. Predict what would happen if the concentration of greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere increased?
8. Why might scientists believe that water vapour accounts for so much
of the greenhouse effect?