Question

when a large meteor strikes earth, environmental changes may result as dust particles scatter throughout the atmosphere. which best describes how an increase in atmospheric particles would affect temperatures on the surface of earth? temperatures would increase because the particles would increase the greenhouse effect. temperatures would increase because particles would trap the heat radiating from earth at night. temperatures would decrease because the particles would provide more substance for snow formation. temperatures would decrease because the particles would absorb solar radiation before it could reach the surface of earth.

Explanation:

Atmospheric particles like dust can scatter and absorb solar radiation. When there is an increase in such particles, more solar radiation is absorbed or scattered back into space before reaching the Earth's surface. This means less solar energy (which is a source of heat for the Earth's surface) is available to warm the surface. So, temperatures would decrease.

The first two options suggest temperature increase. The greenhouse effect (first option) is mainly related to gases like CO₂, not dust particles in the context of a meteor - strike (which are usually short - term and large - scale dust events). The second option about trapping heat at night is also incorrect as the main effect of a large - scale meteor - strike - induced dust is on solar radiation absorption/scattering. The third option about snow formation is not the main or most direct effect compared to solar radiation absorption.

Answer:

Temperatures would decrease because the particles would absorb solar radiation before it could reach the surface of Earth.