Global temperatures are increasing and this increase is probably due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases present in
A)
the troposphere which absorbs outgoing IR radiation
B)
the stratosphere which absorbs outgoing IR radiation
C)
the troposphere which absorbs incoming UV radiation
D)
the stratosphere which absorbs incoming UV radiation
E)
none of the above
most outgoing infrared is absorbed in the troposphere before reaching the stratosphere.
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/david-s.-and-ruth-l.-gottesman-hall-of-planet-earth/what-causes-climate-and-climate-change/the-atmosphere/greenhouse-gases-a-troposphere-story
thank you so much damnon....and thanks for the article...I have a way better understanding of it now...:)
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the relationship between greenhouse gases, global temperatures, and the layers of the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere and warm the Earth's surface, but they also absorb and re-emit the heat radiated from the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
Now, let's analyze the given options:
A) The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs. It is mainly involved in the greenhouse effect. However, it is responsible for absorbing incoming solar radiation and does not directly absorb outgoing infrared (IR) radiation. Therefore, option A is incorrect.
B) The stratosphere is the layer above the troposphere and contains the ozone layer. While the stratosphere plays a role in absorbing certain types of radiation, such as UV radiation, it is not primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect. Therefore, option B is incorrect.
C) The troposphere, as mentioned earlier, absorbs incoming solar radiation, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, UV radiation is not a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect. Therefore, option C is incorrect.
D) Similar to option C, the stratosphere is responsible for absorbing incoming UV radiation, especially with the presence of the ozone layer. However, it is not the primary cause of the greenhouse effect, so option D is incorrect.
E) Considering that none of the above options accurately describe the correct relationship between greenhouse gases and increasing global temperatures, we can conclude that the correct answer is option E.