How does the greenhouse effect work?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere (such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor) trap some of the energy from sunlight that radiates toward space, instead reflecting it back toward Earth's surface. This results in an increase in temperature, similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat for plants to grow. Option A describes the process of solar radiation being absorbed as heat by Earth's surface, but it is not specific to the greenhouse effect. Option B is not accurate; sunlight does not reach Earth's core. Option D is incorrect; some sunlight is indeed absorbed by Earth and does not simply bounce off into space.

How Does the Greenhouse Effect Work