TOOLS
ACK
UNIT 5
Impact of Humans
LESSON 3
Conserving Mineral Resources
Conserving Mineral Resources Quick Check
What is the major cause of the greenhouse effect? (1 point)
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• carbon dioxide in the water
soot from coal plants in the water
soot from coal plants in the atmosphere
To determine the major cause of the greenhouse effect, we need to understand what the greenhouse effect is and what factors contribute to it.
The greenhouse effect refers to the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a rise in global temperatures. This is caused by certain gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation, thereby trapping heat and preventing it from escaping into space. These gases are called greenhouse gases.
To determine the major cause of the greenhouse effect, we need to identify the main greenhouse gas responsible for this phenomenon. The two options mentioned are carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere and soot from coal plants.
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere: CO2 is a well-known greenhouse gas and is one of the main contributors to the greenhouse effect. It is released into the atmosphere through various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes.
2. Soot from coal plants in the atmosphere: Soot, also known as particulate matter or black carbon, is a type of solid particle released into the atmosphere, mainly from the burning of fossil fuels like coal. While soot does contribute to air pollution, it is not a significant greenhouse gas compared to CO2.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the major cause of the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is "carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."