Question

d. no rain is likely to fall for the next week.
______ b. an increase in the concentrations of greenhouse gases in earth’s atmosphere would have which of these effects on temperature?
a. a decrease in average temperatures on earth’s surface
b. an increase in average temperatures on earth’s surface
c. an increase in average temperature in the upper atmosphere
d. a decrease in average temperature within all earth systems
______ e. stuart is studying weather data for his region. the data was gathered from 1950 to 2016. which observation would provide the strongest evidence that the climate of his region has changed during this time?
a. average annual rainfall for 1985-2016 increased by 20 percent compared to the previous 30 years.
b. total rainfall in 2014 was 30 percent greater compared to 1950.
c. the lowest recorded temperature occurred in 1954.
d. the highest recorded temperature occurred in 2016.
______ g. scientists cite evidence that earth’s climate has been changing significantly over the past 50 years. they also argue that changes to earth’s orbital path are not the cause of these significant changes to climate.
which statement provides the strongest evidence in support of the scientists’ argument?
a. variations in earth’s orbital path are consistent with accepted laws of planetary motion.
b. earth’s orbital path does not affect the amount of solar energy that earth receives.
c. changes to earth’s orbital path occur in a cycle that repeats every 100,000 years.
d. climate change cannot be demonstrated over a span of 50 years.

Explanation:

Question B

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. An increase in their concentration leads to more heat being trapped near the Earth's surface, causing an increase in average surface temperatures. Option a is wrong as it says decrease, c is wrong as greenhouse gases affect surface more than upper atmosphere, d is wrong as it says decrease in all systems.

Climate change is a long - term change in average weather patterns. Option a shows a long - term (1985 - 2016 vs previous 30 years) increase in average annual rainfall, which is a strong indicator of climate change. Option b is about a single year (2014 vs 1950) and not a long - term trend. Option c is about a single lowest temperature event and option d is about a single highest temperature event, which are not strong evidence of long - term climate change.

Scientists say orbital path changes are not the cause of recent climate change. If orbital path changes occur in a 100,000 - year cycle, the 50 - year climate change can't be due to orbital path changes (since 50 is much less than 100,000). Option a is about consistency with laws, not about causation of recent climate change. Option b is wrong as orbital path does affect solar energy received. Option d is wrong as climate change can be demonstrated over 50 years.

Answer:

b. an increase in average temperatures on Earth’s surface

Question E