The table shows information about sea level rise due to human-induced climate change.
(mm = millimetres).
Sea level rise in 2006 (mm) | Sea level rise in 2016 (mm) |
40 | 80 |
Liam claims, “From 2016 to 2026 the sea level rise will increase by the same percentage as from 2006 to 2016.” He works out,
Increase in sea level rise from 2006 to 2016 = 80 – 40
= 40
Sea level rise in 2026 = 80 + 40
= 120
Does the sea level rise of 120mm match his claim? Show your working.
[3 marks]
The graph shows satellite measurements of global sea level rise since 2000 plotted relative to 1993. (sea level rise measured in mm = millimetres)
a) Draw a line of best fit through the data and write an equation for your line in the form y = mx + c, to show how sea level is rising through time.
[3 marks]
b) What are the units of your value for mx, and c?
[1 mark]
c) Using your equation, work out how much higher sea level will be in 50 and 100 years’ time.
[2 marks]
Some scientists think that sea level isn’t rising with a constant rate, but is in fact accelerating.
Fitting a quadratic curve to this data gives the equation, y = 0.05x 2 + 2.6x + 21.3.
d) What are the units of the value for 0.05x2?
[1 mark]
e) Use this equation to calculate how high sea level will be in 50 and 100 years’ time.
[2 marks]
f) What is the difference between your answers in (c) and (e)?
[1 mark]
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