Part of the Sun's energy that reaches the Earth's surface is absorbed by land and water as heat. The Earth's surface then releases heat back to the atmosphere.

Question

Which of the following is true about this solar energy that is absorbed and released by Earth's surface as heat?
A.
Much of the heat is trapped at the top of Earth's atmosphere to protect Earth from ultraviolet radiation.
B.
Much of the heat is trapped low in the atmosphere and is a major factor in determining Earth's climate.
C.
All of this heat escapes the Earth's atmosphere, which keeps the planet cool.
D.
All of this heat escapes the Earth's atmosphere, which keeps the planet hot.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

B. Much of the heat is trapped low in the atmosphere and is a major factor in determining Earth's climate.

This statement reflects the greenhouse effect, where certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping the Earth's surface warmer and influencing climate patterns.