Climate change and the greenhouse effectIB MYP Physics: Subtopic test

1. 1
   Scientists at a mountain observatory in Hawaii have recorded that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen from about 280 parts per million before the Industrial Revolution to over 420 parts per million today.

   (a)

   Which of these gases in the atmosphere is a greenhouse gas?

   [1 mark]

   • ANitrogen
   • BOxygen
   • CArgon
   • DMethane

   (b)

   Which human activity is mainly responsible for the rise in carbon dioxide concentration?

   [1 mark]

   • AUsing solar panels
   • BBurning fossil fuels
   • CPlanting forests
   • DUsing wind turbines

   (c)

   Explain how greenhouse gases help to keep the Earth's surface warmer than it would be without them.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 1: 4 marks

2. 2
   Climate scientists in Brazil study how land use changes the atmosphere. In one region, large areas of rainforest have been cleared by burning to create farmland for cattle.

   (a)

   Which pair of activities in this region both increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

   [1 mark]

   • ABurning forest and raising cattle
   • BPlanting trees and burning forest
   • CRaising cattle and planting trees
   • DPlanting trees and building solar farms

   (b)

   Which statement about water vapour is correct?

   [1 mark]

   • AIt is not a greenhouse gas because humans do not make it
   • BIt is the only greenhouse gas in the atmosphere
   • CIt is a natural greenhouse gas that absorbs infrared radiation
   • DIt reflects all infrared radiation into space

   (c)

   Explain why clearing the forest by burning increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

   [2 marks]

   Total for question 2: 4 marks

3. 3
   Students compare how much two clear, sealed bottles warm up when lit by the same lamp for 10 minutes. Bottle A contains air. Bottle B contains air with extra carbon dioxide added. Each bottle starts at 21 °C and the experiment is repeated three times. The temperature rises in bottle A were 3.0 °C, 3.4 °C and 3.2 °C. The temperature rises in bottle B were 5.1 °C, 5.6 °C and 5.3 °C.

   (a)

   Identify the independent variable, the dependent variable and one control variable in this investigation.

   [3 marks]

   (b)

   Calculate the mean temperature rise for each bottle and evaluate how well this investigation models the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.

   [4 marks]

   Total for question 3: 7 marks

4. 4
   A low-lying delta country in South Asia has a long coastline and millions of people living close to sea level. It burns coal and natural gas to generate most of its electricity, and demand for electricity is growing quickly as its economy develops.

   (a)

   Explain how burning fossil fuels can lead to rising sea levels and more extreme weather.

   [6 marks]

   (b)

   Discuss and evaluate whether the country should replace coal and natural gas with renewable energy resources.

   [6 marks]

   Total for question 4: 12 marks

End of questions