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) Responses The temperature of Earth’s surface would increase because more solar energy would reach Earth. The temperature of Earth’s surface would increase because more solar energy would reach Earth. The temperature of Earth’s surface would increase because more heat would be trapped by the atmosphere. The temperature of Earth’s surface would increase because more heat would be trapped by the atmosphere. The temperature of Earth’s surface would decrease because more heat would escape into space. 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.

1 answer

The correct response is: The temperature of Earth’s surface would decrease because more heat would escape into space.

A significant decrease in the proportion of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the atmosphere would lead to less heat being trapped. As a result, more heat would escape into space, causing the temperature of Earth's surface to decrease.