Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Understanding Positive Feedback Loops in Global Warming

Word Count Emoji
487 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Intro - It's Getting Hot in Here! 🌍

Did you ever try turning up the volume on your speaker, and suddenly it got way louder than you expected? That's kind of how positive feedback cycles work. But instead of music, we're talking about the Earth's temperature. 🌡

What's Positive Feedback? 🔄

Positive feedback is like when you eat one cookie, then suddenly you can't stop eating more and more. In global warming, one event makes things warmer, which triggers more warming, like a snowball effect!

Snow, Ice, & the Sun's Rays 🌞

  • Albedo: Think of it as Earth's "sunglasses". It's how much sunlight gets reflected back. 😎
    • High Albedo: Snow & ice (like wearing white on a sunny day, it reflects light).
    • Low Albedo: Open ocean or dark forests (like wearing black and getting super hot).

Real-world example: As more ice melts, the open, darker ocean absorbs more sun. It's like replacing a snowy field with a parking lot on a hot day. The parking lot will get way hotter than the snow ever would!

Permafrost Party Crashers ❄

  • Permafrost: It's like Earth's freezer, keeping things cold all year round.
  • Problem? It has old plant bits (detritus) frozen inside.
  • As the Earth heats, permafrost melts, releasing methane (a potent greenhouse gas).

Imagine a frozen dinner. As it thaws, the good stuff inside (in this case, methane) starts to come out!

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IB Resources
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Understanding Positive Feedback Loops in Global Warming

Word Count Emoji
487 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Intro - It's Getting Hot in Here! 🌍

Did you ever try turning up the volume on your speaker, and suddenly it got way louder than you expected? That's kind of how positive feedback cycles work. But instead of music, we're talking about the Earth's temperature. 🌡

What's Positive Feedback? 🔄

Positive feedback is like when you eat one cookie, then suddenly you can't stop eating more and more. In global warming, one event makes things warmer, which triggers more warming, like a snowball effect!

Snow, Ice, & the Sun's Rays 🌞

  • Albedo: Think of it as Earth's "sunglasses". It's how much sunlight gets reflected back. 😎
    • High Albedo: Snow & ice (like wearing white on a sunny day, it reflects light).
    • Low Albedo: Open ocean or dark forests (like wearing black and getting super hot).

Real-world example: As more ice melts, the open, darker ocean absorbs more sun. It's like replacing a snowy field with a parking lot on a hot day. The parking lot will get way hotter than the snow ever would!

Permafrost Party Crashers ❄

  • Permafrost: It's like Earth's freezer, keeping things cold all year round.
  • Problem? It has old plant bits (detritus) frozen inside.
  • As the Earth heats, permafrost melts, releasing methane (a potent greenhouse gas).

Imagine a frozen dinner. As it thaws, the good stuff inside (in this case, methane) starts to come out!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟