DP Physics Questionbank

Description

Nature of science:
Simple and complex modelling: The kinetic theory of gases is a simple mathematical model that produces a good approximation of the behaviour of real gases. Scientists are also attempting to model the Earth’s climate, which is a far more complex system. Advances in data availability and the ability to include more processes in the models together with continued testing and scientific debate on the various models will improve the ability to predict climate change more accurately. (1.12)

Understandings:

• Conduction, convection and thermal radiation
• Black-body radiation
• Albedo and emissivity
• The solar constant
• The greenhouse effect
• Energy balance in the Earth surface–atmosphere system

Applications and skills:

• Sketching and interpreting graphs showing the variation of intensity with wavelength for bodies emitting thermal radiation at different temperatures
• Solving problems involving the Stefan–Boltzmann law and Wien’s displacement law
• Describing the effects of the Earth’s atmosphere on the mean surface temperature
• Solving problems involving albedo, emissivity, solar constant and the Earth’s average temperature

Guidance:

• Discussion of conduction and convection will be qualitative only
• Discussion of conduction is limited to intermolecular and electron collisions
• Discussion of convection is limited to simple gas or liquid transfer via density differences
• The absorption of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases should be described in terms of the molecular energy levels and the subsequent emission of radiation in all directions
• The greenhouse gases to be considered are CH₄, H₂O, CO₂ and N₂O. It is sufficient for students to know that each has both natural and man-made origins.
• Earth’s albedo varies daily and is dependent on season (cloud formations) and latitude. The global annual mean albedo will be taken to be 0.3 (30%) for Earth.

Data booklet reference:

International-mindedness:

• The concern over the possible impact of climate change has resulted in an abundance of international press coverage, many political discussions within and between nations, and the consideration of people, corporations, and the environment when deciding on future plans for our planet. IB graduates should be aware of the science behind many of these scenarios.

Theory of knowledge:

• The debate about global warming illustrates the difficulties that arise when scientists cannot always agree on the interpretation of the data, especially as the solution would involve large-scale action through international government cooperation. When scientists disagree, how do we decide between competing theories?

Utilization:

• Climate models and the variation in detail/processes included
• Environmental chemistry (see Chemistry option topic C)
• Climate change (see Biology sub-topic 4.4 and Environmental systems andsocieties topics 5 and 6)
• The normal distribution curve is explored in Mathematical studies SL sub-topic 4.1

Aims:

• Aim 4: this topic gives students the opportunity to understand the wide range of scientific analysis behind climate change issues
• Aim 6: simulations of energy exchange in the Earth surface–atmosphere system
• Aim 8: while science has the ability to analyse and possibly help solve climate change issues, students should be aware of the impact of science on the initiation of conditions that allowed climate change due to human contributions to occur. Students should also be aware of the way science can be used to promote the interests of one side of the debate on climate change (or, conversely, to hinder debate).

Directly related questions

• 18M.1.SL.TZ2.30: Mars and Earth act as black bodies....
• 18M.1.SL.TZ2.29: Three gases in the atmosphere are           I.     carbon dioxide (CO2)           II.   ...
• 18M.2.SL.TZ1.6c.iii: Calculate the peak wavelength in the intensity of the radiation emitted by the ice sample.
• 18M.2.SL.TZ1.6c.ii: Discuss how the frequency of the radiation emitted by a black body can be used to estimate the...
• 18M.2.SL.TZ1.6c.i: State what is meant by thermal radiation.
• 18M.1.SL.TZ1.30: The diagram shows a simple climate model for the Earth. What does this model predict for the...
• 18M.1.HL.TZ1.24: The dashed line on the graph shows the variation with wavelength of the intensity of solar...
• 17N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.ii: Suggest how the difference between λS and λE helps to account for the greenhouse effect.
• 17N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.i: Determine the mean temperature of the Earth.
• 17N.1.SL.TZ0.29: The three statements give possible reasons why an average value should be used for the solar...
• 17N.1.SL.TZ0.28: A black body emits radiation with its greatest intensity at a wavelength of Imax. The...
• 17M.1.HL.TZ1.25: The average albedo of glacier ice is 0.25. What is...
• 17M.1.HL.TZ1.23: An object can lose energy through I.    conductionII.   convectionIII.  radiation What are the...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ2.29: A room is at a constant temperature of 300 K. A hotplate in the room is at a temperature of 400...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.30: The average surface temperature of Mars is approximately 200 K and the average surface...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.29: Planet X and planet Y both emit radiation as black bodies. Planet X has a surface temperature...
• 17M.1.SL.TZ1.15: Two pulses are travelling towards each other. What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses...
• 16M.2.HL.TZ0.9d: The average surface temperature of the Earth is actually 288 K. Suggest how the greenhouse...
• 16M.2.SL.TZ0.7b: The albedo of the atmosphere is 0.30. Deduce that the average intensity over the entire surface...
• 16M.2.SL.TZ0.7a: Show that the intensity of the solar radiation incident on the upper atmosphere of the Earth is...
• 16N.1.HL.TZ0.25: X and Y are two spherical black-body radiators that emit the same total power. The absolute...
• 16N.1.HL.TZ0.24: The solar constant is the intensity of the Sun’s radiation at  A. the surface of the Earth. B....
• 16M.1.SL.TZ0.30: A black body of surface 1.0m2 emits electromagnetic radiation of peak wavelength 2.90×10–6m....
• 15M.1.SL.TZ2.30: Methane and carbon dioxide are both greenhouse gases that are believed to cause global warming....
• 15M.1.HL.TZ2.36: The graph shows the variation with wavelength of intensity of radiation emitted by two bodies X...
• 15M.1.HL.TZ2.37: Methane and carbon dioxide are both greenhouse gases that are believed to cause global warming....
• 14M.1.SL.TZ1.29: A uranium nuclear fission reactor that attempts to operate without a moderator would A. suffer...
• 14M.1.SL.TZ1.26: A black body has kelvin temperature T and surface area A. The total power radiated by the body is...
• 14M.1.SL.TZ1.28: The average intensity of the solar radiation incident on a planet is 200 W m–2. The albedo of the...
• 14M.1.HL.TZ1.37: A body X of emissivity e is at temperature T1. X is inside a box whose walls act as a black body...
• 14M.1.SL.TZ2.26: A black body has absolute temperature T and surface area A. The intensity of the radiation...
• 14M.1.SL.TZ2.29: The greenhouse effect can be explained by the fact that the infrared radiation emitted by the...
• 14M.1.HL.TZ2.35: A black body has absolute temperature T and surface area A. The intensity of the radiation...
• 14M.2.SL.TZ1.4a: State the Stefan-Boltzmann law for a black body.
• 14M.2.SL.TZ1.4b: Deduce that the solar power incident per unit area at distance d from the Sun is given...
• 14M.2.SL.TZ1.4d: State two reasons why the solar power incident per unit area at a point on the surface of the...
• 14M.2.SL.TZ1.4c: Calculate, using the data given, the solar power incident per unit area at distance d from the Sun.
• 14M.2.SL.TZ1.4e: The average power absorbed per unit area at the Earth’s surface is 240Wm–2. By treating the...
• 14M.2.SL.TZ1.4f: Explain why the actual surface temperature of the Earth is greater than the value in (e).
• 14M.2.HL.TZ1.6c: Calculate, using the data given, the solar power incident per unit area at distance d from the Sun.
• 14M.2.HL.TZ1.6f: Explain why the actual surface temperature of the Earth is greater than the value in (e).
• 14M.2.HL.TZ1.6b: Deduce that the solar power incident per unit area at distance d from the Sun is given...
• 14M.2.HL.TZ1.6d: State two reasons why the solar power incident per unit area at a point on the surface of the...
• 14M.2.HL.TZ1.6e: The average power absorbed per unit area at the Earth’s surface is 240Wm–2. By treating the...
• 14M.2.HL.TZ1.6a: State the Stefan-Boltzmann law for a black body.
• 15N.1.SL.TZ0.27: It is suggested that the solar power incident at a point on the Earth’s surface depends on I.   ...
• 15N.1.SL.TZ0.29: The average surface temperature of Mars is about 200 K. The average surface temperature of Earth...
• 14N.1.SL.TZ0.28: The graph shows the emission spectrum for a black body at absolute temperature T1. Which graph...
• 14N.1.HL.TZ0.36: Changes in the climate are leading to a reduction in ice cover on Earth. Which of the following...
• 14N.1.HL.TZ0.37: The graph shows the emission spectrum for a black body at absolute temperature T1. Which graph...
• 11N.1.SL.TZO.28: Which of the following geographical features has the lowest albedo? A. Polar ice capB. DesertC....
• 11N.1.SL.TZO.30: Which of the following alternatives would be the most likely to increase the enhanced greenhouse...
• 12N.1.SL.TZ0.26: For a black-body at absolute temperature T the power emitted per unit area is P. What is the...
• 13N.1.SL.TZ0.29: The surface temperature of a black-body emitter is doubled. By what factor does the power emitted...
• 13N.1.HL.TZ0.37: Which option is not a possible solution to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect? A....
• 12M.1.SL.TZ2.29: Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere believed to be responsible for the greenhouse effect include A....
• 12M.1.SL.TZ1.28: Increasing the temperature of a black-body will have the following effect on its emission...
• 13M.2.SL.TZ1.8e: The intensity of the Sun’s radiation at the position of the Earth’s orbit (the solar constant) is...
• 13M.2.SL.TZ2.9c: The average solar intensity incident at the surface of the Earth is 238 W m–2. (i) Assuming that...
• 11M.1.SL.TZ2.29: Surface X has a temperature TX and emissivity εx. Surface Y has a temperature TY and emissivity...
• 11M.1.SL.TZ2.30: Large areas of rainforests are cut...
• 13M.2.SL.TZ2.9b: Wind power does not involve the production of greenhouse gases. Outline why the surface...
• 11M.1.HL.TZ2.37: Which of the...
• 13M.1.SL.TZ2.29: The graph shows the spectrum of a black-body. Which graph shows the spectrum of a body of...
• 13M.1.SL.TZ2.25: The use of which energy source enhances the greenhouse effect the most? A. WoodB. CoalC. WindD....
• 13M.1.SL.TZ2.30: A student states that the following factors may lead to global warming I. decreased albedo of...
• 12M.2.SL.TZ2.8c: The radiant power of the Sun is 3.90 ×1026W. The average radius of the Earth’s orbit about the...
• 12M.2.SL.TZ2.8e: Assuming that the Earth’s surface behaves as a black-body and that no energy is absorbed by the...
• 12M.2.SL.TZ2.8d: Show, using your answer to (c), that the average intensity incident on the Earth’s surface is 242...
• 12M.2.SL.TZ1.2a: Explain why the power absorbed by the Earth...
• 12M.2.SL.TZ1.2b: The equation in (a) leads to the following expression which can be used to predict the Earth’s...
• 11N.2.SL.TZ0.8b: The graph shows the variation with frequency of the percentage transmittance of electromagnetic...
• 11N.2.SL.TZ0.8a: Describe what is meant by the greenhouse effect in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• 12N.2.SL.TZ0.7a: The Pobeda ice island forms regularly when icebergs run aground near the Antarctic ice shelf. The...
• 12N.2.SL.TZ0.7b: Suggest the likely effect on the average albedo of the region in which the island was floating as...
• 13N.2.SL.TZ0.6f: Nuclear fuels, unlike fossil fuels, produce no greenhouse gases. (i) Identify two greenhouse...
• 11M.1.SL.TZ1.25: What is the phenomenon that best explains why greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation? A....
• 11M.1.SL.TZ1.26: In which of the following places will the albedo be greatest? A. A forestB. A grasslandC. An...
• 11M.1.SL.TZ1.28: A spherical black body has absolute temperature T1. The surroundings are kept at a lower...
• 11M.2.SL.TZ1.9b: The diagram shows a simplified model of the energy balance of the Earth’s surface. The diagram...
• 11M.2.SL.TZ1.9c: (i) Outline a mechanism by which part of the radiation radiated by the Earth’s surface is...
• 11M.2.SL.TZ1.9a: The intensity of the Sun’s radiation at the position of the Earth is approximately 1400 W...
• 09M.1.SL.TZ1.29: Greenhouse gases A.     reflect infrared radiation but absorb ultraviolet radiation. B.   ...
• 09M.1.SL.TZ1.30: The rate of global warming might be reduced by A.     replacing the use of coal and oil with...
• 10N.1.SL.TZ0.28: The diagram shows the variation with wavelength of the power per unit wavelength \(I\) radiated...
• 09N.1.SL.TZ0.28: Which of the following is likely to increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the...
• 10M.1.SL.TZ1.30: Which of the following is most likely to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect? A.     Replace...
• 10M.1.SL.TZ1.29: The albedo for the oceans is lower than that for glaciers. This is because, compared to ice, sea...
• 10N.1.SL.TZ0.30: The diagram shows an energy balance climate model for a planet. The intensities of the...
• 09N.1.SL.TZ0.29: Venus and Earth may be regarded as behaving as black bodies. The mean temperature at the surface...