Question

Which describes the greenhouse effect? 1. Earth continues to get warmer over time because it is slowly moving closer to the sun. 2. Earth's atmosphere blocks the sun's ultraviolet light. 3. Pollution gets into the air, causing trees to not get enough oxygen. 4. Energy given off by earth is reflected off of earth's atmosphere back down to the surface.

Answer 1

Answer: The green house effect is best described by option 4 (Energy given off by earth is reflected off of earth's atmosphere back down to the surface).

Explanation:

The green house effect can be described as the energy given off by earth is reflected off of earth's atmosphere back down to the surface.

When energy from the sun passes through the atmosphere, some are absorbed which keeps the earth surface warm. While the rest is reflected back largely by cloud.

The energy which is emitted from the earth surface is called the infrared radiation. Some of the infrared radiation passess through the atmosphere but most is absorbed and re- emitted in all directions by the greenhouse gas molecules and clouds. This effect warms the earth surface and the lower atmosphere. Therefore this statement (Energy given off by earth is reflected off of earth's atmosphere back down to the surface) is correct about greenhouse effect.

For the greenhouse effect to occur, greenhouse gas molecules are mostly needed. Examples of these gases include:

--> Carbon dioxide (CO2),

--> Water vapor (H2O), and

--> Methane (CH4)

Over the years, the excessive human activities has lead to increase in the greenhouse gas molecules which has negatively affected the greenhouse effects.