greenhouse effect
Water vapor contributes strongly to Earth's natural greenhouse effect. This topic is part of Climate within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 8 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
greenhouse effect trivia questions
The greenhouse effect helps keep Earth what?
Answer: Warm
Bonus fact: Greenhouse gases absorb and reemit infrared radiation.
Which gas is a major naturally occurring greenhouse gas?
Answer: Water vapor
Bonus fact: Water vapor contributes strongly to Earth's natural greenhouse effect.
What type of radiation is absorbed and reemitted by greenhouse gases?
Answer: Infrared radiation
Bonus fact: Earth's surface emits thermal infrared energy.
Without Earth’s natural greenhouse effect, about what would the planet’s average surface temperature be?
Answer: -18 °C (0 °F)
Bonus fact: With the natural greenhouse effect, Earth’s average surface temperature is about 15 °C (59 °F).
What gas makes up most of Venus's atmosphere?
Answer: Carbon dioxide
Bonus fact: A dense CO2 atmosphere produces an extreme greenhouse effect.
What is the hottest planet in our solar system?
Answer: Venus
Bonus fact: Venus has the highest mean planetary temperature because its dense atmosphere produces an intense greenhouse effect.
What process traps heat near Earth’s surface through gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor?
Answer: Greenhouse effect
Bonus fact: The natural greenhouse effect keeps Earth warmer than it would otherwise be.
Which planet is the hottest in the solar system, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun?
Answer: Venus
Bonus fact: Venus is hotter than Mercury because its dense atmosphere produces an extreme greenhouse effect.