Climate change

LESSON: Habitable zone

Goals    

-understand the qualitative correlation between the distance of a planet to a star and the energy density that impacts the planet.

-learn that liquid water in a planetary system can only be present in a confined corridor, the habitable zone.

-understand that the size and extent of a habitable zone depends on the luminosity of a star.

- understand the energy budget on the Earth

Subject     

Earth Science, Physics

Students age     

14-18 y

Description

Activity1 (1 h)  

The key element that provides energy for chemical and biological processes on Earth is the Sun. How much of this energy is actually incorporated into the climatic system of the Earth depends on parameters like the intrinsic energy output of the Sun, its distance from the Earth as well as terrestrial properties such as the albedo and composition of the surface and the atmosphere.

A term that generally provides a first indication of a potential habitability of any planet is the habitable zone.

This is the range in a planetary system within which water can exist in its liquid form    

 Lab. activity1                     Space Awarness resources

Activity2 (1 h) 

Solar irradiation, the energy density of the solar radiation that hits the Earth, changes with solar activity cycles and annual modulation caused by the eccentric orbit of the Earth around the Sun. The accepted annual mean value is E = 1368 W/m² as determined by satellite measurements.  Averaged over the entire Earth’s surface area, the mean energy input is approximately 340 W/m²        To know more:  NASA site 

These are the quantities that govern the weatherand climate. While weather is understood to be an atmospheric phenomenon that changes on short time scales (temperature, pressure and precipitation), climate is the long-term (~30 years) average of these processes. If absorption and emission equilibria are assumed, the equilibrium temperature can be determined, which for the Earth on a global scale, is approximately 14°C. Without the atmosphere, it would actually be much colder.  Calculus

Lab. activity2                       S.A.resources

Activity3 (2 h)

In addition to temporal changes, we also experience spatial variations in climatic conditions, in areas known as climate zones. These areas are generally aligned with the latitudes, as the incident angle of solar irradiation changes from the equator to the poles.

Lab. activity3                     S.A resources1

                                             S.A resources2

 

LESSON : Volcanic gases and climate change

Lesson plan       Worksheet