[Day land temperatures] S103

Block 2

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A temperate Earth?

If you've done the short science course Global Warming (S190) then you will have already covered the material in this Block (in fact, it is the same book). The section headings are as follows:

  • The Earth's surface temperature today and in the past.
  • The Earth's surface temperature in the distant past.
  • What determines the Earth's GMST? Overview.
  • What determines the Earth's GMST? A closer look.
  • The Earth's atmosphere.
  • The water cycle.
  • The carbon cycle.
  • Can we explain past variations in the GMST?
  • The Earth's temperature in the future.

New Concepts

If you are interested in global warming then this is the Block for you. Some of the scientific evidence is presented that shows how Earth's temperature was different in the past. The factors that determine the average surface temperature over the whole planet are discussed. The atmosphere is described - the gases it contains and the effect of each of these on temperature. The carbon and water cycles are discussed and there is a nice DVD activity showing how the carbon cycle works. Also included as a DVD activity is how the global average temperature varies according to how much carbon dioxide and water vapour is present.

Measuring temperature is described and this leads to a discussion of uncertainty in measurements. Accuracy and significant figures are also defined, and the basic rules for knowing how many significant figures to give in the result of a calculation. The practical activity for this Block is measuring rainfall over a few weeks using rain gauges you make yourself.

Energy and Power

These are loosely introduced, along with the SI units used:

The unit of energy is the Joule (named after British scientist James Prescott Joule, 1818-1889).

The Joule is abbreviated as J.

Power is defined as the energy transferred per unit of time, i.e. Joules per second, or J s-1

One Joule per second is also known as a Watt or W.


TMA

Yes, another TMA to do once this Block is finished, and this will be the first one to count towards the continuous assessment score. The TMA itself consisted of 4 questions. The first two questions were calculation-type questions, the third was explaining to a friend how to make and set up a rain gauge, the fourth consisted of reflecting on how you planned and wrote question 3 of the TMA. Nothing too difficult here, but you need to make sure you have presented your calculations clearly and have used the correct number of significant figures, and provided references for any material quoted in your written answers. Get into good habits now!

On to Block 3.

Image credits: JPL, NASA

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