Ice-Albedo Feedback Loop Screener

Standards Alignment:

• Performance Expectation: HS-ESS2-2

Based on your work in the Ice-Albedo Feedback Loop simulation task, answer the following questions to demonstrate your understanding.

Questions

1. In the simulation, what was the initial trigger that started the process of warming?
   • A) A decrease in solar radiation.
   • B) Melting of the polar ice caps.
   • C) An increase in greenhouse gas forcing.
   • D) A sudden drop in Earth’s albedo.
2. As global temperatures rose, what happened to the ice coverage and the average albedo?
   • A) Ice coverage decreased; albedo increased.
   • B) Ice coverage decreased; albedo decreased.
   • C) Ice coverage increased; albedo decreased.
   • D) Both ice coverage and albedo remained constant.
3. Why does a decrease in sea ice lead to further warming?
   • A) Less ice means more dark ocean water is exposed, absorbing more solar energy.
   • B) Melting ice releases trapped heat from the ocean floor.
   • C) Ice physically blocks greenhouse gases from escaping into space.
   • D) Water vapor from melting ice cools the atmosphere.
4. Look at the “System Dynamics” chart from your simulation. The accelerating (curving upward) shape of the temperature graph is evidence of:
   • A) A negative feedback loop stabilizing the climate.
   • B) A system returning to its initial equilibrium.
   • C) A positive feedback loop destabilizing the climate.
   • D) Random variations in the data.
5. Which of the following best describes the sequence of events in the ice-albedo positive feedback loop?
   • A) Warming → Ice melts → Albedo decreases → More energy absorbed → More warming
   • B) Warming → Ice forms → Albedo increases → More energy reflected → Cooling
   • C) Cooling → Ice melts → Albedo decreases → Less energy absorbed → More cooling
   • D) Warming → Albedo increases → Ice melts → Less energy absorbed → Cooling