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)

Question

Responses

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.
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 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.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

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

A significant decrease in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would reduce the greenhouse effect, which is the process by which gases like CO2 trap heat in the atmosphere. With less carbon dioxide, more heat would escape into space, leading to a decrease in the Earth's surface temperature.