Question

C02 passes short wave length light (visible) but blocks long wave length radiation (IR). Explain how adding CO2 to an atmosphere increases the surface temperature of a planet. Consider the temperature of the sources of radiation in and out.

Please explain why additional Co2 causes a rise in temperature

Answer 1

More the trapped Infra red radiations, more will be the surface temperature. The sun radiation which hits the earth surface heats up the entire earth. Some of the radiation is emitted back to the space and some is trapped inside the atmosphere. This trapped radiation is because of the presence of carbon di oxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, we can say that planet's temperature ultimately depends on the atmospheric level of carbon dioxide.

When carbon dioxide increases, more water vapor returns to the atmosphere. So, radiation is trapped inside the atmosphere. It has been proved that more the carbon di oxide, more warmer will be earth surface. To present a comparison, In last one century, there is an increase of 1 C in the global mean temperature and carbon di oxide is the main culprit.