Question

the diagram shows how the energy of sunlight is distributed after it enters earth’s atmosphere. the complex distribution of this energy is partly a result of certain gases in the atmosphere, called greenhouse gases. those gases absorb heat that is radiated from the surface, and then reradiate the heat.

without greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, would earth’s temperatures be warmer, colder, or about the same? explain.

Explanation:

Greenhouse gases (like CO₂, methane) trap heat radiated from Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapped heat warms the planet (greenhouse effect). Without these gases, the heat radiated from the surface would mostly escape to space. So Earth's temperature would be colder, as there'd be no mechanism to retain the heat that keeps the planet warm enough for life as we know it (e.g., Venus has a strong greenhouse effect, making it extremely hot; Mars has a thin atmosphere with little greenhouse gas, so it's cold).

Answer:

Earth's temperatures would be colder. Greenhouse gases trap heat radiated from Earth’s surface; without them, most of this heat would escape to space, leading to lower global temperatures.