Question

If there was no carbon dioxide on earth's surface, the temperature of earth's surface would be (a) same as present (b) less than the present (c) more than the present (d) dependent on the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere

Short answer

b) less than the present

Step-by-step solution

- Understanding Carbon Dioxide’s Role

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere. It helps to maintain the Earth's temperature by preventing some of the heat from escaping into space.

- Analyzing the Situation Without Carbon Dioxide

If there were no carbon dioxide, the greenhouse effect would be weaker. This means less heat would be trapped in the atmosphere, resulting in a cooler Earth.

- Conclusion

Since the absence of carbon dioxide would lead to less heat being trapped, the temperature of the Earth’s surface would be less than the present temperature.

Key concepts

Carbon Dioxide and its Role

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a significant greenhouse gas, meaning it plays a vital role in keeping our planet warm. Here’s why it’s important:
CO₂ molecules trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. They absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface after it has been heated by the sun.
This process helps retain heat that would otherwise escape into space.
Without CO₂, our atmosphere would retain much less heat, making the planet much colder. The heat-trapping characteristic of CO₂ is essential for maintaining the Earth’s overall temperature balance. It allows for a climate that supports life as we know it.

Earth’s Temperature

The Earth’s temperature is influenced by the balance between the energy the Earth receives from the sun and the energy it emits back into space. This balance is known as the Earth’s energy budget.
Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane play a critical role in this balance. These gases trap some of the outgoing heat, keeping the planet warm enough to sustain life.
Without these gases, particularly CO₂, the energy budget would be off. The surface temperature of the Earth would drop significantly as less heat would be trapped in the atmosphere.
This would lead to a global cooling effect, making it difficult for life to survive. Essentially, the Earth needs a certain amount of CO₂ to maintain a stable and livable temperature.

Climate Change

Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities have greatly accelerated its pace.
The burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas increases the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere. More CO₂ means more heat being trapped, leading to a rise in Earth’s average temperature, known as global warming.
Consequences of climate change include rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems.
Reducing CO₂ emissions is crucial for slowing down climate change. This can be achieved through renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and reforestation efforts.
It’s important to remember that while CO₂ is essential for maintaining Earth’s temperature, too much of it can lead to harmful impacts on our climate.