Question

What process is a good example of a positive feedback that then reaches an equilibrium in an Earth system?

Answer 1

Answer:

The relationship between the warming of the earth’s northern latitude and ice is a practical example of a positive feedback on the earth system.

Explanation:

A positive feedback is a process that brings about an increase in the process of interaction in the earth activities The warming of the northern latitude which is responsible for generating more heat through sunlight with time, usually results in an increase in the melting of ice bodies in the ocean by movement. This activity is regarded as positive because it is associated with an increase in the process. This process is directly proportional to the exchange activities that takes place and often leads to an equilibrium in the earth system.

Answer 2

Answer:

A process seen as a good example of a positive feedback which then reaches a stable state in the Earth system can be depicted in ice - Albedo Feedback.

Explanation:

What are feedback in the first instance? - In terms of Earth system, they are processes that can either amplify or diminish the effects of climate forcings. They can be divided into positive and negative feedback.

Positive feedback  increases the initial warming whereas, negative feedback does the opposite.

In the case of Ice - Albedo Feedback which happens to be a positive one, ice generally reflects sunlight better than any other material on earth and in so doing, the level of insolation absorbed  by earth is lowered, thereby resulting to cooling. In this light, the increased cooling effect will result to the growth of more ice, thus, resulting to further insolation. This cooling favors more formation of ice and hence, promotes additional cooling. This cycle of increased cooling feeds back on itself to encourage the initial upset or change. As a result of this cycle, this case is referred to as a positive feedback.

NOTE: if positive feedback mechanism are left to its own devices, this will lead to a runaway cooling and perhaps a frozen earth. Therefore, positive feedback will generally trigger the negative feedback mechanism to annul its devastating effects if allowed.