I. Introduction: Religion and Science
Explain Haught's four ways in which science and religion can be related to each other. Give an example that illustrates each of these types of relationship. Note that one could approach a single topic, like the idea of creation, in each of these four ways.
Which of Haught's ways of relating science and religion do you think
is most descriptive of the way science and religion have related in the
past, as described in Worthing's article? Which do you think is most descriptive
of the way science and religion should now relate to each
other, and why?
Explain the basic structure of scientific inquiry, making use of Barbour and/or our discussion in class?
What does Barbour mean by saying that "all data are theory-laden"? How does this affect our ability to test a theory?
Explain the four criteria that Barbour presents for assessing scientific
theories. Do you think that these criteria could be used assess religious
views as well? Explain why or why not.
II. Global Warming
What two important properties define what is meant by an "ideal blackbody radiator?"
Distinguish between thermal emission, e.g. from an incandescent bulb, and atomic emission, e.g. from a hydrogen lamp.
A given blackbody radiator at absolute temperature T has radiative energy flux Fb and peak wavelength lambdam. Suppose its temperature increases to 2T - what are the values of the radiative energy flux and peak wavelength?
To a reasonable approximation the sun is a blackbody radiator at what temperature?
What is meant by "solar insolation?" What value does this quantity have?
Define what is meant by "albedo." What is the average value of the Earth's albedo, and what is a major cause of it?
In the "climate box model" the temperature of the Earth was found to be 255 K. Is this an accurate figure? Why or why not? Describe the conditions on the planet under this circumstance.
What is meant by the "greenhouse effect?" How is it essential for life on Earth?
Name four greenhouse gases generated by humans and describe their sources.
Name three non-anthropogenic causes of climate change on Earth.
A potent greenhouse gas is CO2. Why? What does it do, physically, that causes it to act as a potent greenhouse gas?
Describe the basic physical ideas behind "global warming."
What is meant by the "atmospheric window" in regards to global warming?
What is the "Earthglow?"
Explain Figure 11.10 in Turco (given a copy of the figure).
Explain Figure 11.11 in Turco.
Explain Figure 11.12 in Turco.
What is the current concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, in ppmv, and how much has it risen in the past century?
What's caused the rise in CO2 concentration?
Identify the source and meaning of the statement, "...the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate."
What are the potential negative consequences of "global warming?"
How can the potential effects of global warming be mitigated?
What is meant by "renewable energy?" Give five examples.
Describe four activities you engage in each day that generate greenhouse gases.
What regions of the U.S. are most favorable for development of windpower?
What causes the seasonal variation in carbon dioxide concentration in the Northern Hemisphere?
Compare and contrast the following phenomena of the interaction of light and matter: scattering, absorption, emission. Give an example of each.
What is meant by "polarized light?" Is light from the sun polarized? How is polarized light produced?
Why is the sky blue?
What causes sunsets to be red?
What happens when a green helium-neon laser beam traverses a cell containing iodine vapor at room temperature?