Even though the Martian atmosphere is composed almost completely of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, its surface is much colder than the Earth because its
A) atmosphere is much thinner
B) surface does not radiate any infrared radiation
C) atmosphere contains equal amounts of gases which neutralize the greenhouse effect
D) polar caps are much larger than on the Earth

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Martian atmosphere is much thinner than Earth's atmosphere, which means that there is less insulation to keep the surface warm. Despite the high concentration of greenhouse gases, the thin atmosphere prevents the greenhouse effect from trapping enough heat to make the surface as warm as Earth's.

Even Though the Martian Atmosphere Is Composed Almost Completely of the Greenhouse