What happens to infrared radiation released by the Earth if there is an increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?(1 point)
Responses
It escapes and cools the atmosphere.
It escapes and cools the atmosphere.
It is absorbed and heats the atmosphere.
It is absorbed and heats the atmosphere.
It is converted to solar energy.
It is converted to solar energy.
It is converted to carbon dioxide.
It is absorbed and heats the atmosphere.
If there is an increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the infrared radiation released by the Earth is absorbed and heats the atmosphere.
The correct response is: "It is absorbed and heats the atmosphere."
When there is an increased level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, it acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping infrared radiation that is released by the Earth's surface. This is known as the greenhouse effect. The CO2 molecules absorb the infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping back into space. As a result, the absorbed radiation contributes to the heating of the atmosphere, causing an increase in global temperatures.