Why is infrared radiation an important thing to monitor for understanding climate change?(1 point) If infrared is absorbed instead of leaving the atmosphere, temperatures will rise. If infrared is absorbed instead of striking Earth, temperatures will rise. If infrared is not absorbed by the air, it will strike Earth, and temperatures will rise. If infrared is not absorbed by the atmosphere, it can escape, and temperatures will rise.
I need the answers please!!!
The correct answer is: If infrared is not absorbed by the atmosphere, it can escape, and temperatures will rise.
To understand why monitoring infrared radiation is important for understanding climate change, it is crucial to have a basic understanding of Earth's energy balance. The sun emits a wide range of radiation, including visible light, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and infrared (IR) radiation. When sunlight reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some of it is reflected back into space, some is absorbed by the atmosphere, and some reaches the Earth's surface.
Once the Earth's surface is heated by the sunlight, it radiates energy back into space, primarily in the form of infrared radiation. This outgoing infrared radiation is crucial for maintaining the balance of heat on Earth. However, certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), have the ability to absorb some of the outgoing infrared radiation.
This absorption of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases is a natural part of Earth's climate system. Without these greenhouse gases, the Earth would be significantly colder. However, human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, enhancing the natural greenhouse effect. This increased concentration of greenhouse gases leads to more absorption of infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing a rise in global temperatures, which is known as global warming.
Monitoring infrared radiation helps scientists understand the amount of energy absorbed by the atmosphere and the Earth's surface, and how it affects the overall energy balance of the planet. By accurately measuring the infrared radiation, scientists can track changes in the concentration of greenhouse gases and identify the role of human activities in the process of climate change. This information is crucial for designing effective mitigation strategies and understanding the potential impacts of climate change on various ecosystems and human societies.