What is a characteristic of the greenhouse effect?
A)Short wavelength radiation from the sun is reflected back into space.
B)Most of Earth's radiant energy escapes into space.
C)Industrialization plays an exclusive role in the process.
D)Gases trap heat reflected back from Earth's surface.
E)Transpiration significantly increases levels of greenhouse gases.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect is a phenomenon in which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat reflected back from Earth's surface, thereby causing the planet's temperature to warm up. This process is caused by natural factors like volcanic activity as well as human activities like the burning of fossil fuels. Therefore, option C is incorrect. Option A is describing albedo effect rather than greenhouse effect. Option B is incorrect because if most of Earth's radiant energy escaped into space, the planet would be too cold to support life. Option E might be a confounding factor in the overall climate system, but it is not a characteristic of the greenhouse effect itself.

What Is a Characteristic of the Greenhouse Effect