Which of the following best describes the analogy of a greenhouse to the Earth-atmosphere energy system?
A)It is completely unrelated to our Earth-atmosphere system,and should never have been used to describe global warming.
B)It is exactly how the Earth-atmosphere system operates.
C)It is a useful,but inaccurate model since atmospheric gases do not trap,but absorb heat.
D)While it incorrectly describes shortwave energy transmission,it perfectly encapsulates how longwave terrestrial radiation is trapped.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While the greenhouse analogy is useful in illustrating the concept of the atmosphere trapping heat, it is not entirely accurate. Atmospheric gases do not trap heat in the same way a physical greenhouse traps heat, but rather they absorb and re-emit it. Therefore, the analogy is useful but somewhat inaccurate.

Which of the Following Best Describes the Analogy of a Greenhouse