Question

What is likely to happen in the long term if the Earth continues to absorb more energy than it emits? A. The Earth will discontinue recycling energy. B. Organisms will begin to compensate for the change by incorporating more energy. C. The overall temperature of the Earth will increase. D. The nutrient cycles will happen more frequently. Please select the best answer from the choices provided A B C D

Answer 1

Among all of the options given, answer C would be the correct answer. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Answer: C. The overall temperature of the Earth will increase.

Explanation:

Let's begin by explaining that Earth has a layer, the atmosphere, that is almost transparent to solar radiation, which is composed mainly of shortwave radiation (ultraviolet (UV) and visible light). Then, this layer allows to pass most of the sunlight (visible light and a small part of the UV radiation), without being absorbed.  

When this radiation reaches the Earth, it is absorbed by the water $(H_{2}O$), soil, plants, animals; well, everything that inhabits and also the buildings. Once this absorption process ends, the light turns into long wave (IR) radiation, generating heat that is then released into outer space and known as albedo.  

However, due to climate change (caused by the humankind), the Earth now tends to absorb more energy than it emits to the space as IR radiation. If this process is mantained for a long term, the planet's global temperature will highly increase.