IB Ess 6 1 Introduction To The Atmosphere Question Bank

\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) absorbs (outgoing) longwave/IR radiation/heat elevating global temperatures; Accept references to climate / CO2 data as causal link, eg increase in global CO2 levels correlate with rises in global temperatures.

methane / water vapour / nitrous oxide / tropospheric ozone / CFCs / HCFCs / HFCs; NB if candidate names more than one gas only the first one should be assessed (even if the first is wrong and a later one is correct).

Outline how \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) emissions can cause a change in the global climate. emissions (lead to higher concentration) of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) which is a greenhouse gas; ...causing greater absorption of infra-red/heat radiation and rise in global temperature; ...leading to increased evaporation/changing winds/shifting patterns of precipitation/droughts/extreme weather events/storms/hurricanes/El Niño;

atmosphere allows solar energy/wide range of wavelengths to reach Earth's surface; water vapour/humidity/clouds absorb/reflect incoming IR/solar energy exerting a cooling effect; greenhouse gases such as \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) /methane/NOx/tropospheric ozone/ CFC/HCFCs/water vapour; absorb re-radiated heat/outgoing longer wavelength (Earth's) radiation; this creates greenhouse effect that keeps planet warmer; most heat is radiated to the equatorial/lower/tropical latitudes; the tricellular model/convection currents/prevailing winds transfer this heat to higher latitudes; maintaining a greater dispersal of life-supporting temperatures over planet; heat at equator causes rapid evaporation; ...this water vapour carries latent heat that can be released on condensation/at higher latitudes; tropical cyclones transfer large quantities of such heat to higher latitudes; winds may contribute to oceanic currents transferring heat; Credit should be awarded only for MPs that address role of atmosphere, not other influences on temperature. Do not credit response that ozone hole leads to warming ...unless it is qualified by being a relatively insignificant contribution. (c) In addressing environmental issues, mitigation strategies may be seen as primarily ecocentric and adaptation strategies as primarily technocentric. To what extent is this view valid in the context of named strategies for addressing the issue of global warming? The following guide for using the markbands suggests certain features that may be offered in responses. The five headings coincide with the criteria given in each of the markbands (although "ESS terminology" has been conflated with "Understanding concepts"). This guide simply provides some possible inclusions and should not be seen as requisite or comprehensive. It outlines the kind of elements to look for when deciding on the appropriate markband and the specific mark within that band.

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;

the principal greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide/ \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\), methane/ \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\), water vapour, nitrous oxide/ \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}\); (no credit for anthropogenic GHGs, like tropospheric ozone, CFCs, HFCs) b. ...and are found in the troposphere; c. sun light (visible/short wavelengths) pass through GHGs/reach the Earth and warm its surface; d. fwarm Earth surface is re-radiating energy outward as infra-red radiation/heat; (no credit for "reflection" of light/heat) e. GHGs are opaque to/absorb outgoing IR/long wavelength radiation; f. much of the heat energy is therefore retained/raising the average temperature of the Earth surface (to \(15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ); (b) Using examples, evaluate two solid domestic waste disposal strategies as methods

ash would reflect sunlight back to space/prevent sunlight penetrating atmosphere / increases atmospheric albedo / global dimming; reduction in energy input leads to fall in global temperatures; greenhouse gases released could contribute to global warming; ash from volcano reduces the albedo of snow leading to increase in temperatures;