If the proportion of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere decreased significantly but the amount of atmosphere and the reflective properties of the atmosphere did not change, which effect would most likely occur? (1 point)
The temperature of Earth's surface would decrease because more heat would escape into space.
The temperature of Earth's surface would decrease because less solar energy would reach Earth.
The temperature of Earth's surface would increase because more heat would be trapped by the atmosphere.
O The temperature of Earth's surface would increase because more solar energy would reach Earth.
The correct answer is: The temperature of Earth's surface would decrease because less solar energy would reach Earth.
To determine the effect of a significant decrease in the proportion of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere on the temperature of Earth's surface, we need to understand the role that carbon dioxide plays in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means it absorbs and emits infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. Increased levels of carbon dioxide lead to a stronger greenhouse effect, causing the Earth's surface temperature to rise.
Given that the question states that the amount of atmosphere and the reflective properties of the atmosphere did not change, we can eliminate the option that suggests an increase in the temperature of Earth's surface due to more solar energy reaching Earth. The reflective properties of the atmosphere remain unchanged, meaning the amount of solar energy reaching Earth would not change significantly.
Therefore, the most likely effect of a significant decrease in the proportion of carbon dioxide is that the temperature of Earth's surface would decrease because less solar energy would reach Earth. This is because reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide reduces the greenhouse effect, allowing more heat to escape into space instead of being trapped by the atmosphere.
The correct answer would be: The temperature of Earth's surface would decrease because less solar energy would reach Earth.
CORRECT ANSWER IS:
The temperature of Earth's surface would decrease because more heat would escape into space.