Question

1. draw conclusions: the influence of greenhouse gases on temperature is called the greenhouse effect. based on what you have seen, how do greenhouse gases affect the heat flow into and out of earths atmosphere?
2. extend your thinking: atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide have risen dramatically in the past century. most scientists agree that this has begun to result in global warming, a slow increase in average temperature worldwide.

what are the possible consequences of global warming?
note: the reason greenhouse gases raise the temperature of earth’s atmosphere is similar to, but not identical to, the way that the glass in a greenhouse raises the temperature inside.
in a greenhouse, sunlight passes through the transparent glass and is absorbed by the plants and soil below. heat is then radiated from plants and soil, which heats the air inside the greenhouse. the hot air is trapped by the glass. if the glass were not there, the hot air would mix with the colder air outside, and the result would be similar temperatures inside and outside the greenhouse.
in earth’s atmosphere, greenhouse gases are transparent to visible light but absorb heat that is emitted from earth’s surface. some of this heat is then reflected back to earth. if the greenhouse gases were not present, all of the heat would radiate into space instead.

Explanation:

Question 6

Greenhouse gases let visible light (heat - carrying sunlight) into Earth's atmosphere. They absorb the heat radiated from Earth's surface and reflect some of this heat back to Earth. Without these gases, all the heat would radiate into space. So, they increase the heat retained in the atmosphere by reducing the amount of heat that escapes to space while allowing heat - carrying light in.

Global warming can cause melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to a rise in sea levels. This can flood coastal areas. It can also disrupt weather patterns, causing more extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts, and intense storms. Ecosystems can be disturbed, with some species losing their habitats or facing extinction due to changed temperatures and precipitation patterns. Agricultural patterns may shift as suitable growing conditions for crops change, affecting food production.

Answer:

Greenhouse gases allow visible - light (heat - carrying sunlight) to enter Earth's atmosphere. They absorb heat radiated from Earth's surface and reflect some of it back to Earth, reducing the heat that escapes to space, thus increasing the heat retained in the atmosphere.

Question 7