NATS-101 Sect. 41, 42 Name

Homework 2 29 January 2001

1. Draw a diagram of the temperature changes in the atmosphere up to a height of about 50km (temperature scale will be at bottom, and height scale will be plotted vertically). Label each of the atmospheric layers in your diagram.

Height (km)

2. From the "Trace Gases" module (available through link at class web site http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/nats101/ or directly at http://www.hwr.arizona.edu/Alpine/IGCL/home.html) answer the following questions:

Write the full name and give a source for each of these trace gases, and indicate whether your source is natural or "anthropogenic" (derived from human activities):

A. Name source natural or anthropogenic

CO__________________ ______________________ _______________________________

O₃___________________ ______________________ _______________________________

NO___________________ ______________________ _______________________________

CO₂___________________ ______________________ _______________________________

CH₄___________________ ______________________ _______________________________

B. From the Table in Frame 14, fill in the following for CO₂ concentrations at Mauna Loa:

Maximum Concentration Minimum Concentration Amplitude (Max-Min)

1960 ____________________ ____________________ __________________

1975 ____________________ ____________________ __________________

1989 ____________________ ____________________ __________________

C. From Frame 15, what is the amplitude of seasonal CO₂ variation at Pt. Barrow in 1975? ___________

How does Pt. Barrow amplitude compare to Mauna Loa amplitude in 1975? ________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

D. From Frame 16, what is the amplitude of seasonal CO₂ variation at the S. Pole in 1975? ___________

How does S. Pole amplitude compare to Mauna Loa amplitude in 1975? ________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

E. Why do these amplitudes differ at different locations (latitudes)? ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. About 30% of the incoming solar radiation is reflected by the Earth's atmosphere and surface. What happens to the other 70%? (a list with short descriptions of each item is sufficient)