Question

The greenhouse effect causes an increase in global temperatures, which has contributed to global climate change. This temperature increase is due primarily to:

a) CO₂​ and other greenhouse gases allowing more solar radiation to penetrate Earth's surface

  

b) CO₂​ and other greenhouse gases slowing the escape of heat from Earth

  

c) the loss of ozone that trapped cooling UV radiation in the atmosphere

  

d) CO₂ and other greenhouse gases slowing the escape of UV radiation from Earth

Answer 1

The correct option is (b) CO2 and other greenhouse gases slowing the escape of heat from the Earth.

When sunlight falls on the surface of the Earth, most of them reflected back to the atmosphere and then it escapes the atmosphere. But CO2 and other greenhouse gases are very good at absorbing energy of certain wavelengths. When the sunlight falls on the surface, it is reflected back in the form of infrared energy or heat and this heat is being absorbed by these greenhouse gases and slow down its escape. Thus increasing the temperature of Earth's atmosphere.

Option (a) is incorrect because when sunlight falls on the Earth's surface, some of the solar radiation get absorbed by the surface but greenhouse gases has no role in its absorption or penetration.

Option (c) is incorrect because solar radiation cause the heating effect, not the cooling effect.

Option (d) is incorrect because UV radiation is not traped by the greenhouse gases but its the heat that is trapped by these gases.