1|Page
BioBeyond Smart Sparrow - ispk-bio-blue-planet-
report - v1.3.1 | My assessment of climate
change 2025/2026.
Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support
liquid water. - ANSWER-Distance from the sun
Atmosphere
Albedo
As you learned in Our Blue Planet, there is one key factor that this
calculation does not take into account. What major factor is missing? -
ANSWER-Atmospheric Composition
What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets? -
ANSWER-Max: 0.76
Min: 0.10
Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to
Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273. - ANSWER--
19.1
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo
were 0.04 in the table below. Identify the effective temperature and then
convert the temperature to Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius,
subtract 273. - ANSWER-2.7
While we can calculate the temperature of an asphalt-covered Earth, is
this realistic? - ANSWER-No, it's not feasible to pave the oceans
because asphalt is heavy and would sink.
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We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo
were 0.85 in the table below. Identify the effective temperature and then
convert the temperature to Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius,
subtract 273. - ANSWER--99.7
While we can calculate the temperature of a snow-covered Earth, do you
think this is realistic? You will be scored on completion, not accuracy. -
ANSWER-Yes, shifts in Earth's climate could bring about a snow-
covered Earth.
Make a hypothesis - what will the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the
aerosol it releases do to Earth's albedo and temperature? - ANSWER-
The aerosol decreased albedo, decreasing Earth's temperature
Earth's temperature at its normal albedo of 0.310 predicted by this model
is -18.2 degrees C. How much colder is Earth in this model after the
eruption? - ANSWER-Temperature of Earth after eruption (degrees C) :
-19.8
Degrees colder (C): 1.6
Was your hypothesis supported by the data? - ANSWER-No
What trends did you notice about snow and ice in Then and Now? -
ANSWER-Levels of snow and ice are generally decreasing
What is the most likely direct cause of the snow and ice loss you
observed in Then and Now? - ANSWER-Increasing temperature
What will happen to Earth's albedo from the loss of snow and ice? -
ANSWER-Earth's albedo will decrease
If all else is constant, what should the change in Earth's albedo mean for
the global average temperature? - ANSWER-The global average
temperature will increase
BioBeyond Smart Sparrow - ispk-bio-blue-planet-
report - v1.3.1 | My assessment of climate
change 2025/2026.
Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support
liquid water. - ANSWER-Distance from the sun
Atmosphere
Albedo
As you learned in Our Blue Planet, there is one key factor that this
calculation does not take into account. What major factor is missing? -
ANSWER-Atmospheric Composition
What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets? -
ANSWER-Max: 0.76
Min: 0.10
Identify the effective temperature and then convert the temperature to
Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, subtract 273. - ANSWER--
19.1
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo
were 0.04 in the table below. Identify the effective temperature and then
convert the temperature to Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius,
subtract 273. - ANSWER-2.7
While we can calculate the temperature of an asphalt-covered Earth, is
this realistic? - ANSWER-No, it's not feasible to pave the oceans
because asphalt is heavy and would sink.
, 2|Page
We have calculated the effective temperature of the Earth if its albedo
were 0.85 in the table below. Identify the effective temperature and then
convert the temperature to Celsius. To convert from Kelvin to Celsius,
subtract 273. - ANSWER--99.7
While we can calculate the temperature of a snow-covered Earth, do you
think this is realistic? You will be scored on completion, not accuracy. -
ANSWER-Yes, shifts in Earth's climate could bring about a snow-
covered Earth.
Make a hypothesis - what will the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the
aerosol it releases do to Earth's albedo and temperature? - ANSWER-
The aerosol decreased albedo, decreasing Earth's temperature
Earth's temperature at its normal albedo of 0.310 predicted by this model
is -18.2 degrees C. How much colder is Earth in this model after the
eruption? - ANSWER-Temperature of Earth after eruption (degrees C) :
-19.8
Degrees colder (C): 1.6
Was your hypothesis supported by the data? - ANSWER-No
What trends did you notice about snow and ice in Then and Now? -
ANSWER-Levels of snow and ice are generally decreasing
What is the most likely direct cause of the snow and ice loss you
observed in Then and Now? - ANSWER-Increasing temperature
What will happen to Earth's albedo from the loss of snow and ice? -
ANSWER-Earth's albedo will decrease
If all else is constant, what should the change in Earth's albedo mean for
the global average temperature? - ANSWER-The global average
temperature will increase
