Question

According to an August 2011 report from a government research laboratory, the amount of carbon dioxide (in parts per million) in the Earth's atmosphere increased by almost 25% between 1958 and 2011. The graph below illustrates this increase as well as the yearly cycle, which is driven by the seasons. Image courtesy of NOAA If a student wants to understand what has led to this increase, what is the best scientific question he or she could ask an expert?

A.
How many different processes remove water vapor from the atmosphere?
B.
Does the Earth receive more direct sunlight today than it did 50 years ago?
C.
Are average global temperatures today greater than they were 50 years ago?
D.
What processes add significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

Answer 1

The best scientific question an expert could be asked to understand the increase in carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is: What processes add significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

Step-by-step explanation:

The best scientific question an expert could be asked to understand what has led to the increase in carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is:

What processes add significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?

The increase in carbon dioxide levels is primarily due to human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities. These activities release carbon dioxide, as well as other greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

Answer 2

The best scientific question that a student could ask an expert to understand what has led to the increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is: "What processes add significant amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?" This question directly addresses the cause of the observed increase and would allow the student to gain a deeper understanding of the contributing factors. The other options are not directly related to the issue of increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, and therefore would not provide the most relevant information for understanding the phenomenon.