feedback loops

Question 1

aerosols

Answer 1

particles, usually sulphates from burning fossil fuels or volcanic eruptions

Question 2

impacts of global dimming

Answer 2

reduced solar energy

Question 3

changes in solar radiation can be caused by: (3)

Answer 3

• Sunspots and solar flares
• Variations in earth’s orbit
• Atmospheric changes like volcanic debris or clouds (global dimming)

Question 4

what does the change in solar radiation refer to

Answer 4

change in the amount of energy the earth recieves from the sun

Question 5

examples of short term changes in solar radiation

Answer 5

seasonal changes

Question 6

long term changes of change in solar radiation example

Answer 6

changes in solar activity over decades

Question 7

solar radiation is

Answer 7

the energy emitted by the sun that reaches earth as shortwave radiation

Question 8

what is the solar constant

Answer 8

the average amount of solar energy received per unit area at the top of the earths atmosphere

Question 9

volcanic aerosols

Answer 9

tiny particles released by volcanoes that reflect sunlight and reduce the amount of solar energy reaching earth

Question 10

explanation of the change of solar radiation (high periods of solar activity)

Answer 10

during periods of high solar activity such as more sunspots and solar flares more solar radiation enters the earths atmosphere, warming up surface temperatures

Question 11

what happens to solar radiation after volcanic eruptions

Answer 11

the solar radiation decreases after volcanic eruptions as aerosols reflect energy back into space or during periods of lower solar activity (less sunspots), leading to lower surface temperatures

Question 12

when do changes in solar radiation impact the energy budget (2)

Answer 12

• volcanic eruptions
• atmospheric moistening

Question 13

how do volcanic eruptions impact the energy budget

Answer 13

Large volcanic eruptions can inject aerosols into the atmosphere, which reflect incoming sunlight back into space. This increases the planet’s reflectivity, causing a temporary cooling effect and a negative impact on the energy budget and global dimming.

Question 14

how does atmospheric moistening impact the energy budget

Answer 14

Recent 2026 research indicates that water vapor is a growing factor in solar dimming. As the planet warms, the atmosphere holds more moisture, which absorbs a portion of the solar radiation that would otherwise reach the ground. While this “steals” sunlight from the surface, the extra energy absorbed in the atmosphere ultimately intensifies global warming.

Question 15

what is global dimming

Answer 15

observed decrease in sunlight reaching earths surface caused by atmospheric aerosols from industrialisation scattering and reflect sunlight, leading to a cooling effect that masked some warming

Question 16

2 causes of dimming

Answer 16

aerosols

cloud changes

Question 17

how do aerosols cause dimming

Answer 17

particles, usually sulfates from burning fossil fuels or volcanic eruptions, increase atmospheric haze.

Question 18

how do cloud changes cause dimming

Answer 18

Aerosols can alter cloud properties, making them more reflective, further reducing sunlight.

Question 19

impacts of dimming (2)

Answer 19

reduced solar energy reaching the surface, affecting solar power efficiency and plant growth.

and it masks the full extent of global warming

Question 20

what is the albedo effect

Answer 20

the fraction of the sun’s radiation reflected from a surface.

Question 21

ideal white body has an albedo of __%

Answer 21

100

Question 22

ideal black body has an albedo of _%

Answer 22

0

Question 23

a darker surface means (5)

Answer 23

• lower albedo
• more solar radiation absorbed
• warming
• ice sheets melt
• soil exposed

Question 24

forest % albedo

Answer 24

13%

Question 25

concrete percent albedo

Answer 25

55%

Question 26

sand % albedo

Answer 26

40%

Question 27

sea ice cover % albedo

Answer 27

60%

Question 28

bare ice albedo %

Answer 28

50%

Question 29

lower albedo leads to:

Answer 29

more heat being absorbed, increasing temperatures and causing further melting. This process acts as a positive feedback loop, accelerating global warming, especially in polar regions.

Question 30

when does the albedo effect impact the energy budget

Answer 30

arctic sea ice reflects much of the Sun’s incoming radiation back into space, but when it melts, the darker ocean absorbs more solar energy. This increases the amount of energy retained in the Earth system, leading to further warming and more ice melt in a positive feedback loop known as the ice–albedo feedback.

Question 31

negative feedback loop reduces or amplifies change

Answer 31

reduces

Question 32

negative feedback loop

Answer 32

-Temperature increases → the air warms up. Warmer air causes more evaporation from oceans and land. More evaporation leads to more low-level clouds, which are bright and reflective. These clouds increase albedo, meaning more sunlight is reflected back into space. Because less solar energy reaches Earth’s surface, warming is reduced.

Question 33

positive feedback loop

Answer 33

global temperature rises due to increased greenhouse gases. Ice and snow melt as temperatures increase. Darker land or ocean is exposed beneath the ice. Surface albedo decreases, so less sunlight is reflected. More solar energy is absorbed by Earth’s surface. This leads to further warming, reinforcing the original temperature increase.

Question 34

what is methane

Answer 34

a greenhouse gas

Question 35

methane is __ times stronger than CO2 at trapping heat

Answer 35

25x

Question 36

what are some causes of increased methane? (4)

Answer 36

- bacteria in wetlands produces methane - cows burps and farts - rice paddies- flooded fields create anaerobic conditions which produce methane - Oceans & Permafrost – Methane trapped in sediments or frozen soils can be released

Question 37

how does methane affect the energy budget

Answer 37

- as its a greenhouse gas, it absorbs infrared radiation meaning less heat escapes to space and more energy is trapped in the atmosphere - this causes ice to melt lowering the albedo effect further increasing warming

Question 38

example of when methane impacted the energy budget

Answer 38

In the Arctic, rising temperatures have caused permafrost (permanently frozen ground) to thaw. When permafrost thaws, organic material that was frozen for thousands of years begins to decompose, releasing methane into the atmosphere. When methane concentrations increased: More outgoing heat was trapped in the atmosphere Less energy escaped to space Earth’s energy budget become unbalanced, with more energy retained than lost This led to additional warming, especially in the Arctic (a process called positive feedback)

Question 39

what is the energy budget

Answer 39

the balance between incoming solar energy (insolation) and outgoing energy radiated back to space

Question 40

positive loop that can be caused by methane

Answer 40

Warming → permafrost melts Melting permafrost → methane released Methane traps more heat More heat → even more permafrost melts

Question 41

negative loop caused by methane

Answer 41

Rising Arctic temperatures thaw permafrost Thawing permafrost releases methane into the atmosphere Methane is broken down by chemical reactions over time Methane levels decrease, reducing heat trapped in the atmosphere More infrared radiation escapes to space Earth’s energy budget moves back toward balance Warming is slowed, creating a negative feedback loop

Question 42

what is a negative feedback loop

Answer 42

A negative feedback loop reduces or counteracts an initial change, helping maintain equilibrium.

Question 43

what is a positive feedback loop

Answer 43

A positive feedback loop amplifies an initial change in a system.

Question 44

what is it called when the particles gain more energy in the ocean and sea levels rise

Answer 44

thermal expansion