Test your knowledge with the 10 questions then on the greenhouse effect. Check the comments after the feedback to clear your doubts about the topic.
question 1
The greenhouse effect can be defined as
a) a natural phenomenon that occurs only in large urban centers, causing the temperature in these regions to be higher than in the surrounding forested areas.
b) a natural phenomenon responsible for keeping the planet warm by preventing the heat from solar energy from returning to space.
c) a phenomenon caused as a consequence of atmospheric pollution, as the gases are concentrated in the atmosphere and reduce the quality of the air.
d) an atmospheric phenomenon caused by man with the increase of industrialization and use of fossil fuels.
Correct alternative: b) a natural phenomenon responsible for keeping the planet warm by preventing the heat from solar energy from returning to space.
In the Earth's atmosphere there are gases capable of preventing heat from passing into space and thus heating the planet, maintaining a suitable temperature for sustaining life.
It is estimated that the average temperature of the planet is 15ºC. Without the greenhouse effect, the temperature would be -18 °C, that is, 33 °C lower.
although it is a natural phenomenon, the greenhouse effect has been intensified in recent years because of increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by human activities.
question 2
Look at the image below and describe how the greenhouse effect occurs.
Suggested answer:
1. The Sun at the center of our solar system emits the sun's rays, which release energy in the form of radiation, and are received on planet Earth;
2. One part of the energy is reflected into space and the other is absorbed by the surface and oceans;
3. Energy exchanges between the atmosphere and the earth's surface cause the radiated infrared radiation to be absorbed and trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases, which trap heat and make the planet heated.
question 3
The alternative that presents gases that are responsible for the greenhouse effect is:
steel2, O2, H2O(steam) and N2O
b) CO2, no2, CH4 and H2O(steam)
c) CO2, CH4, CFCs and N2O
d) CO2, Air, N2 and fluoride compounds.
Correct alternative: c) CO2, CH4, CFCs and N2O.
Examples of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect are:
CO2: carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas released by activities that use the burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline, diesel and coal.
CH4: methane is the second largest contributor to the greenhouse effect, which can be released into the atmosphere in decomposition of organic waste in sanitary landfills and also from natural sources, such as in the digestion of ruminants.
No2O: Nitrous oxide is released into the atmosphere with the use of nitrogen fertilizers and by bacteria in the soil.
CFCs: chlorofluorocarbons are examples of fluoride compounds used mainly in industrial activities, such as in refrigeration systems.
H2O(steam): the interaction of water molecules in the form of vapor present in the atmosphere is one of the biggest contributors to the natural greenhouse effect.
Nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2) and argon (Ar) are present in the atmosphere, but do not participate in the greenhouse effect.
question 4
Which of the following activities is NOT responsible for the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere?
a) Burning of fossil fuels in industries and means of transport
b) gastric fermentation of carnivorous mammals
c) Deforestation and forest fires
d) Decomposition of organic matter in dumps
Correct alternative: b) Gastric fermentation of carnivorous mammals
Burning fossil fuels such as diesel, gasoline and natural gas releases carbon dioxide (CO2) In the atmosphere.
Gastric fermentation, that is, the digestion of ruminants, which are herbivorous mammals, releases methane gas (CH4) In the atmosphere.
The fires are responsible for transforming solid carbon and releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) In the atmosphere.
The decomposition of organic matter in landfills is responsible for releasing gases that intensify the greenhouse effect, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
question 5
Analyze the following statements about the consequences of the intensification of the greenhouse effect.
I. Global warming is a consequence of the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
II. The higher the average temperature of the Earth, there will be a rise in sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps.
III. Climate change can affect the balance and will increase cases of natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and desertification.
IV. Food security will be affected, as with the scarcity of natural resources, food production and fishing may be compromised.
The sentences are correct
a) I and II
b) I, II and III
c) II, III and IV
d) All alternatives
Correct alternative: d) All alternatives.
The greater the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the greater the ability to trap heat and consequently generate global warming.
With the increase in the average temperature of the Earth, the natural balance can be disturbed and as consequences can happen:
- The rise in sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps;
- Increase in natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, desertification, migratory waves and species extinction;
- Scarcity of natural resources and compromise of food production and fisheries.
Learn more about global warming.
question 6
Regarding the practices used to minimize the increase in the greenhouse effect, it is INCORRECT to state that:
a) Reforestation of devastated areas is important because through photosynthesis plants are able to increase carbon fixation.
b) Use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, is necessary to decrease dependence on fossil fuels.
c) Practicing the selective collection would avoid the formation of dumps so that the gases generated in the compost are not released into the atmosphere.
d) Carrying out intergovernmental agreements is important, as it encourages goals to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
Correct alternative: c) Practicing the selective collection would avoid the formation of dumps so that the gases generated in the compost are not released into the atmosphere.
Composting is a waste treatment technique used for the transformation of organic waste into fertilizer and with this it is possible to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, the aerobic fermentation in the process prevents the formation of methane (CH4).
question 7
(Mackenzie/2017) Consider the following polluting occurrences:
I. Phenomenon caused by atmospheric pollutants emitted by the burning of coal and diesel, such as sulfur dioxide, which can give rise to sulfuric acid.
II. Phenomenon that can cause global climate change and sea level rise.
III. In winter, the retention of atmospheric pollutants close to the ground is frequent.
IV. It leads to the proliferation of aerobic bacteria that consume oxygen gas from the water, causing the death of fish and other aquatic organisms.
I, II, III and IV correspond, respectively, to the following types of polluting events:
a) Acid rain, greenhouse effect, thermal inversion and eutrophication.
b) Acid rain, eutrophication, thermal inversion and the greenhouse effect.
c) Greenhouse effect, acid rain, thermal inversion and eutrophication.
d) Eutrophication, acid rain, greenhouse effect and thermal inversion.
e) Thermal inversion, eutrophication, greenhouse effect and acid rain.
Correct alternative: a) Acid rain, greenhouse effect, thermal inversion and eutrophication.
Acid rain: phenomenon caused by atmospheric pollutants emitted by the burning of coal and diesel, such as sulfur dioxide, which can give rise to sulfuric acid.
Greenhouse effect: phenomenon that can cause global climate change and sea level rise due to the accumulation of gases in the atmosphere that trap heat.
Thermal inversion: in winter, atmospheric pollutants are often retained close to the ground.
Eutrophication: leads to the proliferation of aerobic bacteria that consume oxygen gas from the water, causing the death of fish and other aquatic organisms.
Learn more about acid rain and the thermal inversion.
question 8
(Fuvest/2017) According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), countless gigatons of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin (from human activities) have been released into the atmosphere for centuries. The figure shows emissions in 2010 by economic sector.
Based on the figure and your knowledge, point to the correct statement.
a) The economic sectors of Construction and Production of other energies, together, have lower greenhouse gas emissions anthropogenic greenhouse effect than the Transport sector, with the main example of occurrences in the Southeast Asian.
b) The highest emissions of CH4 of anthropogenic origin are due to the economic sector of Agriculture and other land uses, due to fires, mainly in Brazil and in African countries.
c) The highest emissions of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin linked to the production of electricity and heat occur in low HDI countries, as they do not have environmental policies defined.
d) A quarter of the set of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin released into the atmosphere comes from the economic sector of Production of electricity and heat, in which CO emission predominates2, occurring with great intensity in the USA and China.
e) Industry has a significant share in the emission of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin, in which N2O is the major component in production at oil refineries in the Middle East and Russia.
Correct alternative: d) A quarter of the set of greenhouse gases of anthropogenic origin released in the atmosphere comes from the economic sector of production of electricity and heat, in which the emission of the CO2, occurring with great intensity in the USA and China.
Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of CO2 In the atmosphere. The developed countries USA and China are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases.
Activities such as using fossil fuels to move means of transport, using coal and natural gas for lighting and heating, in addition to the energy industry, are responsible for the numbers expressive.
question 9
(Enem/2011) According to data from the 2008 National Energy Balance, from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Brazilian energy matrix is composed of hydroelectric (80%), thermoelectric (19.9%) and wind (0,1%). In thermoelectric plants, this percentage is divided according to the fuel used, as follows: natural gas (6.6%), biomass (5.3%), oil derivatives (3.3%), nuclear energy (3.1%) and mineral coal (1.6%). With the generation of electricity from biomass, it can be considered that there is a compensation of carbon released in the burning of plant material by the absorption of this element in plant growth. However, studies indicate that methane emissions (CH4) from hydropower can be comparable to CO emissions2 of thermoelectric plants.
MORET, A. S.; FERREIRA, I. THE. The Madeira River hydroelectric plants and the socio-environmental impacts.
Science Today Magazine. v. 45, no. 265, 2009 (adapted).
In Brazil, in terms of the impact of energy sources on the growth of the greenhouse effect, regarding the emission of gases, hydroelectric plants would be considered as a source:
a) clean energy, contributing to minimize the effects of this phenomenon.
b) efficient energy, taking into account the percentage of supply and the verified benefits.
c) clean of energy, not affecting or altering the levels of greenhouse gases.
d) polluting, collaborating with high levels of greenhouse gases due to its supply potential.
e) alternative, taking as a reference the large emission of greenhouse gases from other generating sources.
Correct alternative: d) polluting, collaborating with high levels of greenhouse gases due to its supply potential.
For the construction of hydroelectric plants large areas of vegetation need to be removed. Residual organic matter in wetlands is decomposed, which can release large amounts of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) that contribute to the greenhouse effect.
question 10
(Enem/2009) The Earth's atmosphere is composed of nitrogen gases (N2) and oxygen (O2), which add up to about 99%, and by trace gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O), methane (CH4), ozone (O3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which make up the remaining 1% of the air we breathe. Trace gases, being made up of at least three atoms, are able to absorb the heat radiated by the Earth, warming the planet. This phenomenon, which has been going on for billions of years, is called the greenhouse effect. Since the Industrial Revolution (19th century), the concentration of trace gases in the atmosphere, in particular CO2, has increased significantly, which has resulted in an increase in temperature on a global scale. More recently, another factor has become directly involved in increasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere: deforestation.
BROWN, I. F.; ALECHANDRE, A. S. Basic concepts about climate, carbon, forests and communities. A.G. Moreira & S. Schwartzman. Global climate change and Brazilian ecosystems. Brasília: Amazon Environmental Research Institute, 2000 (adapted).
Considering the text, a viable alternative to combat the greenhouse effect is
a) reduce the heat radiated by the Earth by replacing primary production with refrigerated industrialization.
b) promote the burning of plant biomass, responsible for the increase in the greenhouse effect due to the production of CH4.
c) reduce deforestation, thus maintaining the vegetation's potential to absorb CO2 of the atmosphere.
d) increase the atmospheric concentration of H2O, molecule capable of absorbing large amounts of heat.
e) remove polar organic molecules from the atmosphere, decreasing their ability to retain heat.
Correct alternative: c) reduce deforestation, thus maintaining the vegetation's potential to absorb CO2 of the atmosphere.
Plants are able to absorb CO2 atmosphere for photosynthesis in a process called carbon sequestration. The greater the deforestation, the greater the contribution to the increase in the greenhouse effect and, consequently, to global warming due to the high concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Gain more knowledge with the contents:
- Greenhouse effect
- Greenhouse effect vs global warming
- Climate changes