Paper 1 · climatology
The 'day model' of the atmosphere's energy budget includes incoming solar radiation, reflected shortwave radiation, absorbed shortwave radiation, outgoing longwave radiation, and net radiation. Which term describes the process where longwave radiation emitted by the Earth's surface is absorbed by the atmosphere and re-radiated back down, warming the lower atmosphere?
AThe albedo effect, where shortwave radiation is reflected back to space without being absorbed
BThe Coriolis effect, where the Earth's rotation deflects moving air and ocean currents
CThe greenhouse effect, where the atmosphere absorbs and re-radiates outgoing longwave radiation
DThe adiabatic effect, where air temperature changes as rising or sinking air expands or compresses
Explanation: The greenhouse effect is the absorption of outgoing longwave radiation by atmospheric gases and its re-emission back toward the surface, which keeps the lower atmosphere warmer than it would be from solar heating alone. Albedo concerns reflection, not absorption/re-emission; Coriolis and adiabatic effects are unrelated mechanisms.
Derived from ZIMSEC Geography Paper 1, June 2004, Q3
