The rate of solar energy striking Earth averages 168 watts per sq...

Question

The rate of solar energy striking Earth averages 168 watts per square meter. The rate of energy radiated from Earth's surface averages 390 watts per square meter. Comparing these numbers, one might expect that the planet would cool quickly, yet it does not. Why not?

Accepted Answer

Hi everyone for this problem, we are asked what is the effect of greenhouse gasses on how the planet cools? Given that the sun provides average energy of 100 and 68 watts per square meter. While the Earth surface emits an average of 390 watts per square meter. So let's think about the Earth emitting 390 watts per square meter, And where this is occurring. So this 390 watts per square meter is going to mostly be in the infrared region. Greenhouse gasses absorb much of this radiation, which is going to prevent radiation from escaping into space because radiation is being prevented from escaping into space. The greenhouse gasses warms the atmosphere close to Earth. So out of all of our answer choices, answer choice A is describing that. Okay, so the greenhouse gasses absorb much of the emitted energy from the Earth's surface so it cannot escape into the atmosphere. Therefore, the planet does not cool as quickly. Okay, that's the end of this problem. I hope this was helpful.

The rate of solar energy striking Earth averages 168 watts per square meter. The rate of energy radiated from Earth's surface averages 390 watts per square meter. Comparing these numbers, one might expect that the planet would cool quickly, yet it does not. Why not?

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