Question 1
(i)
Mean: ‘’The sum of a series of measurements (or numbers) divided by the number of those measurements.’’ (Open University,2015: S104 Exploring Science Glossary, Milton Keynes, The Open University).
Scientific Notation: ‘’ A notation that represents any number by expressing it as a number that is equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10, multiplied by a simple power of ten where the index may be positive or negative. Thus, 1.30 × 103 is in scientific notation (because 1.30 is equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10, while 103 is a simple power of 10 where the index is positive). Note, though, that 13.0 × 102 and 0.130 × 104 are not in scientific notation. Similarly, note that 2.4 × 10−2 is in scientific notation while 0.24 …show more content…
For example, 10.2 cm is quoted to 3 significant figures and this means that there may be some uncertainty in the final digit, but the other digits are certain. The larger the number of significant figures quoted for a value, the smaller the uncertainty in that value’’. (Open University,2015: S104 Exploring Science Glossary, Milton Keynes, The Open University).
Random Uncertainty: ‘’ A type of uncertainty derived from a measured quantity fluctuating about a mean value, i.e. many measurements being scattered fairly randomly about a mean value. The larger the random uncertainty associated with a measurement, the larger the scatter. Compare with experimental uncertainty, systematic uncertainty.’’ (Open University,2015: S104 Exploring Science Glossary, Milton Keynes, The Open University).
(ii)
Mean: The difference here is that the correct word is ‘sum’ instead of ‘maximum value’ that is stated in the incorrect definition.
Scientific Notation: The difference here is that the incorrect definition states that it is a ‘whole number’ but the correct definition is a ‘number’.
Significant Figures: The correct definition states ‘larger’ instead of ‘smaller’ number of significant figures in the incorrect …show more content…
Question 3
The contributions to the energy balance on the earth’s surface:
Energy gains: Solar radiation absorbed by the surface and the atmospheric infrared radiation absorbed by the surface.
Energy losses: Infrared radiation emitted by the surface and the loss of energy through convection and latent heat.
(i) For the GMST to be in a steady state would require the energy gain of the earth’s surface to be equal with the energy loss from the earth’s surface.
(ii) For the GMST to rise would require the energy loss of the surface to be greater than the energy gain and also if the atmosphere is more absorbing to infrared radiation then the GMST will be
(i)
Mean: ‘’The sum of a series of measurements (or numbers) divided by the number of those measurements.’’ (Open University,2015: S104 Exploring Science Glossary, Milton Keynes, The Open University).
Scientific Notation: ‘’ A notation that represents any number by expressing it as a number that is equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10, multiplied by a simple power of ten where the index may be positive or negative. Thus, 1.30 × 103 is in scientific notation (because 1.30 is equal to or greater than 1 but less than 10, while 103 is a simple power of 10 where the index is positive). Note, though, that 13.0 × 102 and 0.130 × 104 are not in scientific notation. Similarly, note that 2.4 × 10−2 is in scientific notation while 0.24 …show more content…
For example, 10.2 cm is quoted to 3 significant figures and this means that there may be some uncertainty in the final digit, but the other digits are certain. The larger the number of significant figures quoted for a value, the smaller the uncertainty in that value’’. (Open University,2015: S104 Exploring Science Glossary, Milton Keynes, The Open University).
Random Uncertainty: ‘’ A type of uncertainty derived from a measured quantity fluctuating about a mean value, i.e. many measurements being scattered fairly randomly about a mean value. The larger the random uncertainty associated with a measurement, the larger the scatter. Compare with experimental uncertainty, systematic uncertainty.’’ (Open University,2015: S104 Exploring Science Glossary, Milton Keynes, The Open University).
(ii)
Mean: The difference here is that the correct word is ‘sum’ instead of ‘maximum value’ that is stated in the incorrect definition.
Scientific Notation: The difference here is that the incorrect definition states that it is a ‘whole number’ but the correct definition is a ‘number’.
Significant Figures: The correct definition states ‘larger’ instead of ‘smaller’ number of significant figures in the incorrect …show more content…
Question 3
The contributions to the energy balance on the earth’s surface:
Energy gains: Solar radiation absorbed by the surface and the atmospheric infrared radiation absorbed by the surface.
Energy losses: Infrared radiation emitted by the surface and the loss of energy through convection and latent heat.
(i) For the GMST to be in a steady state would require the energy gain of the earth’s surface to be equal with the energy loss from the earth’s surface.
(ii) For the GMST to rise would require the energy loss of the surface to be greater than the energy gain and also if the atmosphere is more absorbing to infrared radiation then the GMST will be