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What is the greenhouse effect?

  • A Plants actively trapping carbon dioxide molecules within their chloroplasts mainly for use during the process of photosynthesis under usual circumstances according to most researchers in the majority of cases studied
  • B Natural process where certain atmospheric gases (CO2, water vapour, CH4) trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth's surface, warming the planet; essential for life but enhanced by human activities causes global warming
  • C The straightforward physical trapping of ordinary visible sunlight by glass panels installed inside a typical residential garden greenhouse structure used for growing plants as widely reported in standard practice under most conditions encountered
  • D The highly selective filtering effect that the stratospheric ozone layer has mainly on incoming ultraviolet-B solar radiation wavelengths specifically as frequently observed in practice in many documented cases according to conventional understanding

Correct answer: B. Natural process where certain atmospheric gases (CO2, water vapour, CH4) trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth's surface, warming the planet; essential for life but enhanced by human activities causes global warming

Explanation: Natural greenhouse effect: solar radiation (shortwave) passes through atmosphere to Earth's surface; surface re-emits longwave (infrared) radiation; greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit this, warming Earth. Without it: Earth temperature would be -18 degrees C (current average: +15 degrees C). Enhanced greenhouse effect (human CO2) is causing additional warming.

Concept context

Pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation, and sustainability. Important for NEET and general awareness.

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