SC.912.E.7.7

Identify, analyze, and relate the internal (Earth system) and external

(astronomical) conditions that contribute to global climate change.

Day 1

• What do the following terms mean?– Climate Change– Ozone– Infrared energy– Greenhouse Effect

Vocabulary

– Climate Change• Long term weather patterns

– Ozone• A gas found in the earths atmosphere (O3)

– Infrared energy• Type of energy from the electromagnetic spectrum

– Greenhouse Effect• The trapping of infrared energy in the earths

atmosphere

DAY 2

According to the graph below, what wavelength

of energy does the Earth receive in the greatest intensity?

Name the primary gaswhich absorbs ultraviolet (UV)

from the sun.

Name the three primary gaseswhich absorb infrared (IR) energy

Why is the ozonelayer important?

It protects the Earth from UV which damages crops andcauses cancer in humans.

Why is it warmer on acloudy night than on a clear night?

Clouds (H2O vapor) absorb IR energy radiated by the Earth. On a clear night, the IR energy escapes

back into space.

DAY 3

• Reading passage 600-601

Describe four natural processes that can cause climate change?

Earth’s climate is constantly changing.

Climate Change

Antarctic Temperatures for Past 420,000 Years

Thousands of years ago

Te

mp

era

ture

dif

fere

nc

e (

°C)

co

mp

are

d t

o p

res

en

t

Read passage from pgs 600-601 and Think-pair-share what you discovered

Earth’s climate is constantly changing.

Climate Change

Global climate changes can be caused by changes

in Earth’s energy budget and by the interactions

among Earth’s spheres.

Causes for climate change include variations

in Earth’s motions, the location of the

continents, variations in sunspots, and gases

and ash ejected into the atmosphere by

volcanoes.

Natural Processes That Change Climates

Climate Changes

Volcanic Eruptions• The presence of volcanic aerosols (ash, dust, and sulfur-based

aerosols) in the air increases the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space. This causes Earth’s lower atmosphere to cool.

Ocean Circulation• Changes in ocean circulation also can result in short-term climate

fluctuations.

Natural Processes That Change Climates

Climate Changes

Solar Activity• When the sun is most active, it contains dark blemishes called

sunspots. The formation of sunspots appears to correspond with warm periods in Europe and North America.

Earth Motions• Geographic changes in Earth’s land and water bodies cause

changes in climate.

• Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit and the tilt of Earth on its axis are other Earth motions that affect global climates.

Volcanic eruptionOcean circulation patternsSolar activityEarth Motions

Describe four natural processes that can cause climate change?

DAY 4

GREENHOUSE

Explain the greenhouse effect. Include a diagram which shows the

change in wavelength.