Question

Dark colored surfaces absorb more solar radiation than light colored surfaces. If global warming results in complete melting of the white Arctic sea ice, what effect should that have on Arctic Ocean temperatures?

a) Decrease in temperatures
b) No change in temperatures
c) Increase in temperatures
d) Stabilization of temperatures

Answer 1

The complete melting of the white Arctic sea ice would lead to an increase in Arctic Ocean temperatures due to the exposure of dark ocean water that absorbs more solar radiation.

Step-by-step explanation:

If global warming results in the complete melting of the white Arctic sea ice, the effect on Arctic Ocean temperatures would be c) Increase in temperatures. Light-colored surfaces like ice have a high albedo, meaning they reflect a significant portion of solar radiation. The Arctic sea ice melting would expose darker ocean water that absorbs more solar radiation, leading to a rise in temperatures due to a positive feedback mechanism. This increase in temperature worsens global climate change and accelerates the melting of polar ice, contributing to global sea level rise and further temperature increases.