Question 1: Define a greenhouse gas and name three common examples.

Answer: A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Examples include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

Question 2: Explain how greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Answer: Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface and re-emit it in all directions, including back towards the surface. This process traps heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet.

Question 3: Identify the main human activities that increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Answer: Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes.

Question 4: Calculate the increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration if 5 gigatonnes of CO₂ are added annually, assuming the total atmospheric mass of CO₂ is approximately 3,000 gigatonnes. Express your answer in percentage increase.

Answer: 0.167%

Question 5: Describe a simple experiment to demonstrate the greenhouse effect using household materials.

Answer: Place a small plant or thermometer inside two transparent containers. Cover one with a plastic wrap to simulate a greenhouse. Place both in sunlight and observe temperature differences to demonstrate heat trapping.

Question 6: Identify the variables in the greenhouse effect experiment described above.

Answer: Independent variable: presence of plastic wrap; dependent variable: temperature inside the containers; control variables: sunlight, container size, and material.

Question 7: Why is methane considered a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide despite being less abundant?

Answer: Methane has a higher global warming potential because it traps more infrared radiation per molecule and has a shorter atmospheric lifetime, making its impact more intense over a shorter period.

Question 8: Fill in the blank: The main process responsible for increasing atmospheric levels of nitrous oxide is __________.

Answer: agricultural activity (use of fertilisers)

Question 9: Explain how reducing the use of fossil fuels can help mitigate climate change.

Answer: Reducing fossil fuel use decreases the emission of greenhouse gases like CO₂, which are major contributors to the greenhouse effect. This helps lower global temperatures and slows climate change.

Question 10: In industry, what is one technological innovation used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.

Question 11: Discuss the impact of increased greenhouse gases on global temperatures and weather patterns.

Answer: Increased greenhouse gases trap more heat in the atmosphere, leading to higher global temperatures. This can cause altered weather patterns, including more intense storms, droughts, and changing precipitation patterns, impacting ecosystems and human societies.