Special Properties Quick Check

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Question
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 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 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 less solar energy would reach Earth.

Answer 1

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, 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 helps trap heat in the atmosphere. A decrease in its concentration would result in less heat being retained, allowing more heat to escape into space, which would lead to a decrease in the Earth's surface temperature.