Climate Change Basics

Question 1

Two identical patches of ground receive the same amount of sunlight. One patch is on Earth, covered by the normal layer of gases, and the other is on a moon that has no air at all. After the Sun shines for the same time, which explanation correctly tells why the Earth patch stays warmer?

Accepted Answer

The gases let sunlight reach the ground, then some of the heat the ground gives off is taken up by the gases and sent back down, keeping the ground warm.

Answer

The gases block sunlight so less heat reaches the ground, making the ground cooler.

Answer

The gases reflect the heat the ground emits straight out into space, so the ground loses heat quickly.

Answer

The gases turn all the sunlight into wind, which carries the heat away from the ground.

Question 2

When sunlight reaches Earth, it warms the ground. What does the layer of gases around Earth do with some of that heat?

Accepted Answer

It keeps part of the heat close to the surface, sending it back down like a blanket.

Answer

It sends all the heat straight back out into space, leaving the ground cool.

Answer

It makes the air glow bright, which is why the sky looks blue.

Answer

It turns the warm ground into cold air that rises away.

Question 3

Which sentence best explains how the greenhouse effect works?

Accepted Answer

The Sun’s rays pass through the atmosphere and warm the Earth’s surface; the warmed surface then gives off heat, and certain gases in the atmosphere hold onto some of that heat, keeping the planet warm.

Answer

The atmosphere blocks all of the Sun’s heat, so the Earth stays cold unless we add more sunlight.

Answer

The Sun’s heat is absorbed only by the oceans, and the atmosphere does not play a role.

Answer

Greenhouse gases create a blanket that stops the Sun’s rays from reaching the Earth, making it cooler.

Try three questions

Two identical patches of ground receive the same amount of sunlight. One patch is on Earth, covered by the normal layer of gases, and the other is on a moon that has no air at all. After the Sun shines for the same time, which explanation correctly tells why the Earth patch stays warmer?

When sunlight reaches Earth, it warms the ground. What does the layer of gases around Earth do with some of that heat?

Which sentence best explains how the greenhouse effect works?

Keep going on this shelf