Question Details

Checking of re radiating heat by atmosphere carbon dioxide, dust, methane, ozone is known as

Options

A

solar effect

B

radioactive effect

C

ozone layer

D

greenhouse effect

Correct Answer :

greenhouse effect

Solution :

The correct option is "greenhouse effect".

Here is a step-by-step explanation of why this is correct:

1. Solar Radiation Absorption: The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form of short-wave solar radiation (visible light and ultraviolet radiation). The Earth's surface absorbs this energy and warms up.
2. Re-radiation of Heat: The warmed Earth then emits energy back towards space. However, because the Earth is much cooler than the Sun, it radiates this energy in the form of long-wave, infrared radiation (heat energy).
3. Role of Greenhouse Gases: Certain gases and particles in the Earth's atmosphere—namely carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor, ozone (O3), and atmospheric dust—have physical properties that allow short-wave solar radiation to pass through but absorb long-wave infrared radiation.
4. Checking and Trapping Heat: As the infrared radiation travels upward, these gases and dust particles absorb it and re-emit it in all directions, including back toward the Earth's surface. This process of absorbing, blocking, or "checking" the escaping re-radiated heat is scientifically termed the greenhouse effect because it mimics how glass panels retain heat in a greenhouse.

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