Which phenomenon describes gases like carbon dioxide and methane trapping heat in the atmosphere and leading to warming?

Which phenomenon describes gases like carbon dioxide and methane trapping heat in the atmosphere and leading to warming?

• A. Weather
• B. Climate
• C. Groundwater
• D. Greenhouse Effect

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, raising the surface temperature. Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases that absorb infrared radiation—the heat the Earth emits after absorbing sunlight—and then re-radiate some of that heat back toward the surface. That trapping of heat keeps the lower atmosphere and surface warmer than they would be otherwise. This is different from weather (short-term conditions) or climate (long-term patterns), and it’s not about groundwater. The process described here is the greenhouse effect, which explains why these gases contribute to warming.

The main idea is that certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, raising the surface temperature. Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases that absorb infrared radiation—the heat the Earth emits after absorbing sunlight—and then re-radiate some of that heat back toward the surface. That trapping of heat keeps the lower atmosphere and surface warmer than they would be otherwise. This is different from weather (short-term conditions) or climate (long-term patterns), and it’s not about groundwater. The process described here is the greenhouse effect, which explains why these gases contribute to warming.