1. Describe the general characteristics of the graphs.
Each graph that mapped the the environment in the bottle showed that there was a dramatic increase in temperature. Then, the rate in which the temperature slowed greatly before dropping as the bottle was either moved into the shade or the light was turned off.
2. In which bottle was the temperature rise the greatest? Why do you think this occurred?
The greatest temperature rise occurred in the bottle with the alka seltzer, as the reaction with the water and the alka seltzer created water vapor and carbon dioxide.
3. Was there any difference in the rate at which the bottles cooled after the light was turned off?
The graph displaying the bottle with the alka seltzer cooled the quickest in comparison to the control and the bottle with just the water.
4. List the major greenhouse gases. Which is considered to be the most important?
The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Water Vapor is the most important greenhouse gas (https://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=2&secNum=4)
5. Describe the differences between global warming and the greenhouse effect? Include the terms UV light, infrared light, long wavelength, short wavelength, absorbed, reflected atmosphere
The greenhouse effect involved two major waves/lights, UV light and infrared light. UV light has a shorter wavelength and a higher energy compared to Infrared light, which has a longer wavelength and a weaker energy level. 30% of these waves that hit Earth's atmosphere is immediately reflected back out to space by reflective surfaces. the remaining 70% is absorbed by the oceans, the land and the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb the waves and prevents them from escaping the atmosphere, warming up the earth. The major difference between global warming and the greenhouse effect is that the greenhouse effect is only one of the many causes of global warming. (http://www.livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html)
6. Why is Venus hotter than Mercury, even though Mercury is much closer to the sun?
Venus is so much hotter because it has a much thicker atmosphere of carbon dioxide, sulfuric acid, and nitrogen, compared to Mercury, which has a very thin atmosphere. The heat Mercury is exposed to can be easily released back into the atmosphere, where on Venus, the carbon dioxide absorbs the heat which keeps the planet warm.
7. For virtually the entire history of the world, the greenhouse effect was in balance. What man-made event was significant in the development of global warming?
The man-made even that was significant in the development of global warming was the Industrial Revolution, as it caused an increase in the burning of fossil fuels.
8. Find the 10 hottest years on global average. If this trend were to continue what environmental problems might arise? Do you think they will have a personal impact on you? How?
The ten hottest years on global average have all happened since 1998, and the hottest one has been in 2014. This increase in land and ocean temperatures, and the continuation of a warming trend will further the damage caused by global warming and climate change, causing a rise in sea levels, a harsher climate for food stuffs to grow in, and an increase in natural disasters. We are already all seeing the effects, and while so far I do not believe there has been a drastic impact on myself (potentially smaller impacts, and impacts on my state/country). However, if the trend continues, more and more people will be affected with food shortages, inland population spikes, and an increase in damage done by natural disasters.
Each graph that mapped the the environment in the bottle showed that there was a dramatic increase in temperature. Then, the rate in which the temperature slowed greatly before dropping as the bottle was either moved into the shade or the light was turned off.
2. In which bottle was the temperature rise the greatest? Why do you think this occurred?
The greatest temperature rise occurred in the bottle with the alka seltzer, as the reaction with the water and the alka seltzer created water vapor and carbon dioxide.
3. Was there any difference in the rate at which the bottles cooled after the light was turned off?
The graph displaying the bottle with the alka seltzer cooled the quickest in comparison to the control and the bottle with just the water.
4. List the major greenhouse gases. Which is considered to be the most important?
The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Water Vapor is the most important greenhouse gas (https://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=2&secNum=4)
5. Describe the differences between global warming and the greenhouse effect? Include the terms UV light, infrared light, long wavelength, short wavelength, absorbed, reflected atmosphere
The greenhouse effect involved two major waves/lights, UV light and infrared light. UV light has a shorter wavelength and a higher energy compared to Infrared light, which has a longer wavelength and a weaker energy level. 30% of these waves that hit Earth's atmosphere is immediately reflected back out to space by reflective surfaces. the remaining 70% is absorbed by the oceans, the land and the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb the waves and prevents them from escaping the atmosphere, warming up the earth. The major difference between global warming and the greenhouse effect is that the greenhouse effect is only one of the many causes of global warming. (http://www.livescience.com/37743-greenhouse-effect.html)
6. Why is Venus hotter than Mercury, even though Mercury is much closer to the sun?
Venus is so much hotter because it has a much thicker atmosphere of carbon dioxide, sulfuric acid, and nitrogen, compared to Mercury, which has a very thin atmosphere. The heat Mercury is exposed to can be easily released back into the atmosphere, where on Venus, the carbon dioxide absorbs the heat which keeps the planet warm.
7. For virtually the entire history of the world, the greenhouse effect was in balance. What man-made event was significant in the development of global warming?
The man-made even that was significant in the development of global warming was the Industrial Revolution, as it caused an increase in the burning of fossil fuels.
8. Find the 10 hottest years on global average. If this trend were to continue what environmental problems might arise? Do you think they will have a personal impact on you? How?
The ten hottest years on global average have all happened since 1998, and the hottest one has been in 2014. This increase in land and ocean temperatures, and the continuation of a warming trend will further the damage caused by global warming and climate change, causing a rise in sea levels, a harsher climate for food stuffs to grow in, and an increase in natural disasters. We are already all seeing the effects, and while so far I do not believe there has been a drastic impact on myself (potentially smaller impacts, and impacts on my state/country). However, if the trend continues, more and more people will be affected with food shortages, inland population spikes, and an increase in damage done by natural disasters.