IB ESS SL Topic 6 Atmosphere and Climate Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL Topic 6 by interpreting climate data, explaining greenhouse and ozone processes, and evaluating mitigation, adaptation and international responses with evidence.

Covered syllabus points

6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere 6.2 Climate change—causes and impacts 6.3 Climate change—mitigation and adaptation 6.4 Stratospheric ozone

[Maximum number: 5]

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.

(a)

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

[ 1 ]

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

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

Both required to award [1].

Marking guidance:

Do not accept N or O.

(b)

State the name of the solar radiation absorbed by the protective layer of ozone found in the stratosphere.

[ 1 ]

(c)

Refrigerators are sometimes a source of ozone-depleting substances. List two other sources of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
1.
2.

[ 1 ]

(d)

Evaluate the success of the Montreal Protocol in reducing emissions of ozone-depleting substances.

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 11]

(a)

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

[ 4 ]

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;

(b)

Explain how human impacts on the atmosphere may influence the productivity of terrestrial biomes.

[ 7 ]

release of ozone-depleting substances reduces stratospheric ozone increasing UV on Earth...;
UV can damage plants/photosynthesis reducing primary productivity; release of $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ from fossil fuels can generate acid precipitation...; acid rain can damage plants/leaves reducing primary productivity; acid rain can cause leaching of nutrients from soils reducing plant growth/productivity;
acid rain can release toxic cations/minerals in soil that reduce plant growth/productivity; emission of greenhouse gases can lead to an increase in global temperatures/global warming...;
increased temperatures may lead to higher rates of photosynthesis/increased productivity; higher temperatures may damage certain plant species reducing productivity; higher temperatures may cause greater evaporation/water scarcity that reduces plant growth/productivity; higher temperatures may melt permafrost increasing primary productivity in tundra / ice retreat, eg in Greenland, can lead to expansion of tundra ecosystem; emissions from fossil fuel combustion causing photochemical smog which reduces photosynthesis; any reduction in primary productivity will lead to reduction in secondary productivity/productivity of consumers;

Note: Credit may be given for any further potential impacts of atmospheric pollution on productivity of terrestrial biomes.

[Maximum number: 3]

Figure:Global carbon-dioxide emissions from 1992 to 2012

the ozone-hole images shown above: The graph below shows the global $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ emissions from 1992 to 2012.

(a)

Calculate the percentage increase of global $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ emissions from 1992 to 2012.

[ 1 ]

(b)

$\quad \mathrm{CO}_{2}$ is considered a greenhouse gas. Identify two other greenhouse gases.

[ 2 ]

methane/ $\mathrm{CH}_{4}$ ;
water vapour/ $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}$ ;
nitrous oxides/ $\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}$ ;
tropospheric ozone/ $\mathrm{O}_{3}$ ;
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)/hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)/ perfluorocarbons (PFCs);

Marking guidance:

Do not accept 'sulphur dioxide/carbon monoxide/nitrogen oxides $\left(\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}\right)$ '.

[Maximum number: 3]

Figure:Planned changes in energy supply in Cape Town, 2025-2050

Evaluate how the planned changes in the energy supply, shown in Figure: Planned changes in energy supply in Cape Town, 2025-2050, are likely to influence carbon emissions in Cape Town.

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Covered syllabus points

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question (d)

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change question 2

Question (a)

Question (b)

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)

Topic 6: Atmosphere and climate change question 4