Question

What effect does melting sea ice have on the atmosphere? a. The atmosphere gets cooler because there is more ocean water to absorb heat. b. The atmosphere gets warmer because there is less sea ice to reflect the sun's rays. c. The atmosphere gets warmer because sea ice releases heat as it melts. d. The atmosphere gets cooler because ocean temperatures decrease.

Answer 1

Sea ice melting has a warming effect on the atmosphere because less ice reflects the sun's rays, resulting in increased heat absorption by the ocean.

Step-by-step explanation:

The melting of sea ice has a warming effect on the atmosphere because there is less sea ice to reflect the sun's rays. Option b is correct. When sea ice melts, it exposes dark ocean water, which absorbs more solar radiation instead of reflecting it back into space. This leads to an increase in the amount of heat that is retained in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Answer 2

B) The atmosphere gets warmer because there is less sea ice to reflect the sun's rays.

Step-by-step explanation:

The sea ice forms a reflective surface which reflects the sun rays back into the atmosphere and space. Warming temperatures which melt the sea ice decreases reflective surfaces by increasing absorption of sun rays and solar radiation.

This is because the melted sea ice exposes the darker parts of the earth's surface melting the sea ice and increasing ocean temperatures. The heat from rising temperature is released into the atmosphere causing global warming. The cycle continues each season and the melted sea ice doesn't get enough time to freeze.