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?

Question

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 decrease because less solar energy would reach Earth.
The temperature of Earth’s surface would decrease because less solar energy would reach Earth.

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 increase because more heat would be trapped by the atmosphere.

Answer 1

If the proportion of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere decreased significantly while the amount of atmosphere and its reflective properties remained unchanged, the most likely effect would be:

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

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. A decrease in its concentration would lead to a reduction in the greenhouse effect, allowing more heat to escape into space and consequently lowering the temperature of the Earth's surface.