Multiple choice

Why are greenhouse gases like CO2 & methane important to Earth's climate?

  1. They allow heat from Earth to escape the atmosphere

  2. They trap the Sun's energy so that Earth's surface is warm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and re-radiate it in all directions, trapping heat in the atmosphere. Without this natural greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be too cold to support life as we know it.

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