Question

question 2 (1 point)
what causes the greenhouse effect?
greenhouse gases lead to polar ice cap melting, making the earth warmer.
greenhouse gases absorb ozone, leaving the earth unprotected from ultraviolet radiation.
atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide, absorb sunlight, causing the atmosphere to heat up.
sunlight is absorbed by the earths surface, reradiated as infrared energy, and absorbed by atmospheric gases.
the oceans absorb solar energy and trap heat, making the earth warmer.

Explanation:

The greenhouse effect occurs when sunlight is absorbed by the Earth's surface, reradiated as infrared energy, and then absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide). This process traps heat in the atmosphere.

• The first option describes a consequence (polar ice - cap melting) of the greenhouse effect, not the cause.
• The second option is incorrect because greenhouse gases do not absorb ozone. Ozone depletion is a different issue (mainly due to substances like CFCs).
• The third option is wrong because atmospheric gases (greenhouse gases) mainly absorb infrared radiation (reradiated from the Earth's surface), not sunlight.
• The fifth option is incorrect as the main mechanism of the greenhouse effect is related to atmospheric gases, not the oceans' heat - trapping in the context of the greenhouse effect definition.

Answer:

Sunlight is absorbed by the Earth's surface, reradiated as infrared energy, and absorbed by atmospheric gases.