The greenhouse effect helps maintain Earth's average surface temperature near which value?

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Prepare for your Introduction to Physical Geology Exam. Tackle diverse topics with multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations. Equip yourself with knowledge about Earth's physical processes and surface features. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

The greenhouse effect helps maintain Earth's average surface temperature near which value?

Explanation:
The warming effect comes from greenhouse gases trapping infrared radiation, which keeps heat near the surface rather than letting it escape back into space. When you look at Earth’s energy balance, the global average surface temperature settles around about 15°C because of this natural greenhouse effect. Without those gases trapping heat, the average would be much colder—around -18°C—so the value near 15°C is the realistic, long-term global average we experience. The other numbers are not representative of the planet’s typical global average temperature.

The warming effect comes from greenhouse gases trapping infrared radiation, which keeps heat near the surface rather than letting it escape back into space. When you look at Earth’s energy balance, the global average surface temperature settles around about 15°C because of this natural greenhouse effect.

Without those gases trapping heat, the average would be much colder—around -18°C—so the value near 15°C is the realistic, long-term global average we experience. The other numbers are not representative of the planet’s typical global average temperature.

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