Methods 2: Week 14

 

        1.What did you do in lab today?

In lab, we did simulations to explore what happens to the infrared protons that enter our atmosphere. In the past, much more of the protons would hit the ground, heat up the earth, and bounce back to space. However, today, we have more architecture covering the ground which captures heat and hold it in, which causes the temperature to continue to rise. Additionally, as more greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere, more particles are present that capture and reflect the infrared protons back into our atmosphere, which prevents them from returning to space and causes the temperature to continue to rise here on Earth.

        2.What was the big question?

What happens to the infrared protons that enters our atmosphere? 

        3.What did you learn in Thursday’s discussion?

Lecture Notes: 

• Human and really all life evolution has happened between 180-300 parts per million carbon dioxide levels. 

Albedo Effect:

• The reflectivity of a surface; how much radiation is reflected vs. absorbed.
• Color has a major influence on aledo. 
• A high albedo means something is more reflective, low means will absorb. 
• Feedback cycle, affecting the ice caps and glaciers. 
• A cause and effect that can either amplify or minimalize conditions, Positive amplifies while negative cycles negate effects. 
• When the ice caps/ glaciers melt, it reveals more dark ocean water underneath. The dark eater absorbed more light, warming it up. This melts more ice, thus revealing more ocean water, and so on… 
• Therefore, ice caps melting at the North Police are a positive feedback loop (increasing absorption rates.) 

Snowball Earth:

• How might the planet warm back up during an ice age? (Think of another feedback loop we've learned about. 
• With albedo: we shouldn’t heat back up because earth reflects sunlight (all white) 

2. Read the online textbook:Links to an external site.

       1.What did you learn?

The chapter talked about the Earth’s atmosphere's role in regulating the temperature of the planet and protecting it from solar radiation. It also discussed the significance of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, water vapor, and ozone, which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. These gases, although essential for maintaining a habitable climate, can be problematic in high concentrations due to human activities like burning fossil fuels. I also learned about the importance of the carbon cycle, which is the process of carbon moving between the atmosphere, land, and water. The chapter showed how human actions have disrupted the balance of the cycle, leading to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Additionally, the chapter discussed human-caused changes in albedo, which is causing the melting of ice in the arctic and the expansion of darker surfaces that are absorbing the sun's heat and heading up the planet. 

       2.What was most helpful?

I really liked the NASA video on the gas problem. I thought that it did a really good job explaining the greenhouse effect and how our actions are contributing to it. Additionally, it was very short and had engaging visuals that added to the information. I thought that it would be a good resource to share with students. I also liked the NASA video on the carbon released in the atmosphere on Earth. It was very easy to follow and did a good job showing how the atmosphere emits more carbon in the summer months. However, even though one area might be emitting more carbon at a given time, everybody is affected because the winds move the heat around the world. Contributing to warming. This would be good to share with kids too. 

       3.What do you need more information on?

I don’t really have any questions regarding the content. However, regarding the chart in the chapter, if we are way above the carbon parts per million concentration average peak that we’ve had in the last 800,000 years, then why hasn’t Earth started the phase of entering an ice age to regulate itself? We’ve seen that this process has happened at a much lower concentration of carbon in the atmosphere. 

3.What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?

No questions, comments, or concerns at this time.