Question

If Earth were to warm up a bit, what would happen?

A) Carbonate materials would form in the oceans more rapidly, the atmospheric CO2 content would decrease, and the greenhouse effect would weaken slowly over time.

B) Carbonate materials would form in the oceans more slowly, the atmospheric CO2 content would increase, and the greenhouse effect would strengthen slowly over time.

C) Carbonate materials would form in the oceans more rapidly, the atmospheric CO2 content would decrease, and the greenhouse effect would strengthen slowly over time.

D) There would be a runaway greenhouse effect, with Earth becoming ever hotter until the oceans evaporated (as may have happened on Venus).

E) The ice caps would melt and cool Earth back to its normal temperature

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The most accurate answer to the question is:

B) Carbonate materials would form in the oceans more slowly, the atmospheric CO2 content would increase, and the greenhouse effect would strengthen slowly over time.

When Earth warms up, several processes occur:

1. Carbonate Formation: With increased temperatures, the rate of carbonate formation in the oceans tends to decrease. Carbonate materials, such as shells of marine organisms, form more slowly.

2. Atmospheric CO2 Increase: As carbonate formation slows down, less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere through the process of carbon sequestration. This leads to an increase in the atmospheric CO2 content.

3. Strengthening of the Greenhouse Effect: CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. As the atmospheric CO2 content increases, the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, leading to further warming of the Earth's surface.

Therefore, option B accurately describes the consequences of Earth warming up, which include a slower formation of carbonate materials in the oceans, an increase in atmospheric CO2 content, and a strengthening of the greenhouse effect over time.