Question
Review the question and three claims, and then choose the one claim you think is LEAST convincing.
Christchurch’s air temperature is cooler than usual during El Niño years because . . .
Responses
Claim 1: The amount of incoming energy from the sun changes.
Claim 1: The amount of incoming energy from the sun changes.
Claim 2: Something about Earth’s surface (land or water) changes.
Claim 2: Something about Earth’s surface (land or water) changes.
Claim 3: Something about the air changes.
Claim 3: Something about the air changes.
Explain why you think the claim you selected is the LEAST convincing claim.
Christchurch’s air temperature is cooler than usual during El Niño years because . . .
Responses
Claim 1: The amount of incoming energy from the sun changes.
Claim 1: The amount of incoming energy from the sun changes.
Claim 2: Something about Earth’s surface (land or water) changes.
Claim 2: Something about Earth’s surface (land or water) changes.
Claim 3: Something about the air changes.
Claim 3: Something about the air changes.
Explain why you think the claim you selected is the LEAST convincing claim.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
I believe Claim 1: "The amount of incoming energy from the sun changes" is the least convincing in explaining why Christchurch’s air temperature is cooler than usual during El Niño years.
While solar energy does fluctuate and can have short-term effects on weather patterns, this claim does not directly connect to the well-established climatic phenomena associated with El Niño. El Niño events are mainly characterized by changes in ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and their resultant impacts on global weather patterns, including shifts in air currents and oceanic conditions.
On the other hand, Claim 2 ("Something about Earth’s surface (land or water) changes") and Claim 3 ("Something about the air changes") are more directly relevant to the mechanics of El Niño. Both claims hint at the variability of ocean surface temperatures and air circulation caused by these phenomena, which would more convincingly explain the cooler temperatures in Christchurch during these periods compared to changes in solar energy. Hence, Claim 1 lacks the necessary specificity and relevance to effectively illustrate the temperature changes during El Niño events.
While solar energy does fluctuate and can have short-term effects on weather patterns, this claim does not directly connect to the well-established climatic phenomena associated with El Niño. El Niño events are mainly characterized by changes in ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and their resultant impacts on global weather patterns, including shifts in air currents and oceanic conditions.
On the other hand, Claim 2 ("Something about Earth’s surface (land or water) changes") and Claim 3 ("Something about the air changes") are more directly relevant to the mechanics of El Niño. Both claims hint at the variability of ocean surface temperatures and air circulation caused by these phenomena, which would more convincingly explain the cooler temperatures in Christchurch during these periods compared to changes in solar energy. Hence, Claim 1 lacks the necessary specificity and relevance to effectively illustrate the temperature changes during El Niño events.