What are sunspots? Why are they thought to have a possible effect on climate?
What will be an ideal response?
Sunspots are relatively cool, dark blotches that appear on the surface on the Sun. They are thought to be caused by changes in the Sun's magnetic field and are surrounded by plages, areas of above average solar temperatures. The plages are larger than the sunspots, and the net effect of sunspots is a sun with an above-average surface temperature. Cyclic variations in the amount of sunspots lead to cyclic variations in the amount of incoming solar radiation reaching the Earth. These cycles match up with changes in the Earth's climate on a number of timescales. However, the magnitude of the forcing is much less than the observed changes in climate, so if sunspot cycles are driving climate, it must be with the help of a positive feedback system that has not yet been identified.
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Using a globe, determine the latitude and longitude of the following cities. Be sure to indicate if the location is north or south latitude, and east or west longitude. Indicate latitude and longitude to the nearest whole degree (round down if less than 30'; round up if 30' or more).
City (a) Chicago, Illinois (b) Tokyo, Japan (c) Sydney, Australia (d) Singapore (e) Buenos Aires, Argentina
What type of water mass dissolves the most amounts of gases?
a. Tropical water masses b. Temperate water masses c. Equatorial water masses d. Polar water masses
Superstorm Sandy in 2012 caused much devastation in the Northeast, especially land loss due to coastal erosion, and rising sea level in part led to the destruction. What other problems do rising sea level pose for coastal areas?
A. Loss of wetlands B. Beach erosion C. Salinity increase in rivers and aquifers D. Increased storm surges E. All of these choices are correct.
A problem with the use of biofuels is ________
A) it has never been successfully produced B) the United States has outlawed them C) there is a food versus fuel debate D) it has emitted more carbon dioxide than fossil fuels E) it has never been successfully used in trucks