B.2 Greenhouse effect: Practice Questions

Which of the following gases is not considered a primary greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere?

The Earth's surface emits radiation primarily in the infrared spectrum. Which property of greenhouse gases allows them to trap this energy?

The solar constant for a planet at a distance \( d \) from a star is \( S \). A second planet is located at a distance of \( 0.25d \) from the same star. What is the solar constant for this second planet?

Which type of electromagnetic radiation is primarily responsible for being absorbed by greenhouse gases, leading to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere?

The solar constant for a planet is \( S \). The planet has an albedo \( \alpha \) and is at an average distance \( d \) from its sun. Which expression represents the average intensity of solar radiation absorbed over the entire surface of the planet?

(a) State the main mechanism by which greenhouse gases contribute to global warming.
(b) A planet is located at a distance from a star such that the intensity of radiation reaching the top of its atmosphere is \( 1200 \, \text{W m}^{-2} \). The planet has an albedo of 0.25. Calculate the effective black-body temperature of the planet's surface, assuming it has no atmosphere.
(c) Explain why the actual surface temperature of the planet would be higher if it had an atmosphere containing carbon dioxide.