Feedback Loops & Tipping Points

REF STUDY GUIDE: Big Ideas Use to answer form questions

1.Breaking bonds REQUIRES energy; forming bonds releases energy. Students often think breaking bonds RELEASES energy, but evidence from investigations shows otherwise.

2.Mass is conserved; atoms rearrange but aren't destroyed. Students often think mass 'disappears' in chemical reactions, but evidence from investigations shows otherwise.

3.Energy can be quantified in joules, calories, etc. Students often think energy is not a measurable quantity, but evidence from investigations shows otherwise.

DRAW KEY TERMS Google each → Images tab → sketch what you see

Albedo

The fraction of light a surface reflects (0 = absorbs all, 1 = reflects all)

Carbon sink

A place where carbon is absorbed and stored

Positive Feedback

When change causes MORE of the same change (amplifying loop)

Ice-Albedo Feedback

Melting ice lowers albedo, absorbing more heat, causing more melting

WRITE FOCUS QUESTION Answer BEFORE Hook form

Since 1979, Arctic sea ice has shrunk by roughly 13% per decade. As bright white ice melts, it exposes dark ocean water underneath — and the warming accelerates even faster.

🧊 Why might melting ice cause MORE melting? What creates this accelerating cycle?

Your initial thinking:

I think...

WRITE AFTER HOOK FORM Reflect before continuing

I learned that...

Station 1 — Reference Data (Albedo Effects)

I observed that...

This shows that...

The key concept is...

Station 2 — Calculations

The data shows...

This connects to...

DRAW CONCEPT MODEL Show your understanding visually

Draw a model that shows the main concept. Include labels and arrows to explain relationships.

Labels included

Relationships shown

Key terms used

CHECK TEST YOUR THINKING Rate each: FALSE ← 1–2–3–4–5 → TRUE

1. "Positive feedback" in science means something good is happening.

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2. Albedo only matters for ice — other surfaces don't reflect or absorb much light.

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3. Once a tipping point is passed, the system can easily return to normal.

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4. Melting sea ice is the only factor causing Arctic temperatures to rise.

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5. Carbon sinks like forests can absorb unlimited amounts of CO₂ without slowing down.

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Pick any TWO statements — especially any you rated 2, 3, or 4. Justify your rating with evidence:

Statement #___ — I rated it ___ because:

THINK SCIENTIST CIRCLE DEBRIEF Reflect after your Scientist Circle discussion

AHA! Moment

The one I changed my thinking most about is...

Remaining Question

I still wonder...

WRITE FOCUS QUESTION REVISIT Final written response

Why might melting ice cause MORE melting?