If the atmosphere's "optical thickness" $n$ depended on the ratio of the concentrations to the first power instead of to the $1 / 2$ power in equation T10.8a, would this accelerate or brake the warming compared to the model in the text?
Equation T10.8a:}
$$n=n_{b}\left(\frac{400 p p m}{280 p p m}\right)^{1 / 2}=0.605\left(\frac{400}{280}\right)^{1 / 2}=0.723$$
A) Accelerate}
B) Brake
C) No change

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the optical thickness $n$ depended on the ratio of the concentrations to the first power instead of to the $1/2$ power, it would result in a larger increase in $n$ for the same increase in concentration, leading to more absorption of infrared radiation and thus accelerating warming compared to the model in the text.

If the Atmosphere's "Optical Thickness nnn Depended on the Ratio of the Concentrations to the First

If the Atmosphere's "Optical Thickness $n$ Depended on the Ratio of the Concentrations to the First