Question detail
What is the primary role of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
Question
- A. To cool the planet.
- B. To absorb infrared radiation.
- C. To increase oxygen levels.
- D. To block ultraviolet radiation.
Answer
The correct option is To absorb infrared radiation.. This answer is correct because it matches the approved learning objective to explain that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases can increase the amount of energy retained in the atmosphere in the subtopic Greenhouse gases.
Explanation
The correct option is To absorb infrared radiation.. To absorb infrared radiation. is correct because it directly supports the approved learning objective to explain that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases can increase the amount of energy retained in the atmosphere. This belongs to the subtopic Greenhouse gases within Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases, so the explanation must stay tied to that curriculum context. The other options are incorrect because they either do not answer this learning objective, use a vague statement, or move away from Greenhouse gases.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Energy Retention
Students often think that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases directly cause more energy to be produced rather than increasing the amount of energy retained in the atmosphere.
Clarify that greenhouse gases trap heat energy from the Earth, preventing it from escaping into space, which leads to an increase in the energy retained in the atmosphere.
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