IB ESS SL 6.1 The Atmosphere Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL 6.1 by tracing radiation and atmospheric circulation to explain rainfall, aridity and biome distribution.

Exam points

Trace incoming shortwave and outgoing longwave radiation through the natural greenhouse effect.
Use Hadley, Ferrel and polar circulation to explain rainfall, aridity and biome belts.
Interpret carbon-dioxide and aerosol evidence through infrared absorption, albedo and temperature change.

Covered syllabus points

6.1.1—Atmosphere boundary 6.1.2—Atmospheric circulation 6.1.3—Greenhouse gases and aerosols 6.1.4—Greenhouse effect

[Maximum number: 1]

Figure:Gas composition of the troposphere by volume

the tropospheric gas-composition chart shown above below is a pie chart showing the percentages (by volume) of gases in the troposphere.

Label gases A and B on the tropospheric gas-composition chart shown above above.

oxygen $/ \mathrm{O}_{2}$

B: nitrogen $/ \mathrm{N}_{2}$ ;

Both required to award [1].

Marking guidance:

Do not accept N or O.

[Maximum number: 4]

Outline the role of the atmospheric system in the distribution of biomes.

atmospheric/tri-cellular circulation (including Hadley, Ferrel \& polar cells) creates patterns of climate that determine dominant vegetation types; low pressure due to intense heating/high insolation at the equator causes / rising moist air in the tropics creates high precipitation giving rise to rainforests; moving polewards (at high altitude), air cools, becomes denser and sinks forming a high-pressure zone / descending/dry air ( $20-30^{\circ}$ latitude/tropics) creates water

limiting/arid conditions giving rise to deserts; some of the air continues towards the poles to equalize temperature difference / atmosphere transfers heat from (sub-)tropics to mid-latitudes giving rise to temperate biomes; descending/dry air (high latitude/polar regions) creates water-limiting conditions in tundra; water vapour (from mid-latitudes/temperate regions) is transferred to high latitudes giving rise to heavy precipitation/snow in boreal forest; water vapour is transferred from ocean surfaces overland generating freshwater aquatic systems; prevailing winds/jet streams (blowing from high to low pressure) bring precipitation to a region, eg temperate rainforest in mountainous region/riverine/water-margin systems; rain shadow effect of high mountains causes dry winds in the leeward side, resulting in arid or semi-arid biomes (eg Tibetan Plateau, Mongolian Gobi desert and steppes); atmosphere may be responsible for shifting biomes due to global warming/climate change;

[Maximum number: 2]

Figure:Carbon capture and storage flow chart

the carbon-capture and storage flow chart shown above shows the process of carbon capture and storage (CCS) that can be used to manage climate change. Carbon dioxide ( $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ ) is pumped into three different underground locations, where it is stored.

Flow 1 pumps $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ into an underground saline reservoir.
Flow 2 pumps $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ into an oil reservoir; $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ replaces oil; oil is produced.
Flow 3 pumps $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ into a coal seam; $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ replaces methane $\left(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\right)$ ; methane is produced.

(a)

Outline the evidence that $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ acts as a greenhouse gas.

[ 1 ]

$\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ absorbs (outgoing) longwave/IR radiation/heat elevating global temperatures;

Marking guidance:

Accept references to climate / CO2 data as causal link, eg increase in global CO2 levels correlate with rises in global temperatures.

(b)

State a greenhouse gas other than $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ .

[ 1 ]

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Covered syllabus points

6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere question 1

6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere question 2

6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)