Without the greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be _____.

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

Without the greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be _____.

The key idea is that the greenhouse effect acts like a heat blanket for Earth's surface. It traps some of the infrared radiation that the planet tries to emit back into space, warming the surface above what an airless or no-blanket scenario would give. If those greenhouse gases were removed, the surface would cool toward what the planet would be able to maintain by direct solar heating and radiating energy to space, which is around freezing on average. That makes roughly 0°C the best match for a no-greenhouse-Earth. The other numbers represent states that are warmer or colder than this simple no-greenhouse balance would produce.

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