Correct option is A
The radiative forcing of the atmosphere is influenced primarily by longwave radiation (infrared radiation) emitted by the Earth's surface. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, absorb and re-emit this longwave radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere, which leads to the greenhouse effect and global warming. This radiation is also scattered, further affecting the energy balance of the Earth's atmosphere.
Information Booster:
- Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse gases trap longwave radiation emitted by the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the planet.
- Longwave Radiation: The Earth's surface emits infrared radiation (longwave radiation), which is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
- Radiative Forcing: This refers to the change in energy balance caused by the presence of greenhouse gases, which increases the temperature of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere.
- Scattering and Absorption: Greenhouse gases not only absorb the longwave radiation but also scatter it, further increasing the amount of heat retained in the atmosphere.
- The greenhouse effect is essential to maintaining temperatures conducive to life on Earth, but an excess of greenhouse gases due to human activity exacerbates global warming.
Additional Information:
Option (b) - Shortwave radiation received from the sun is absorbed and scattered: This is true for the Earth's energy balance, but it does not explain the radiative forcing caused by greenhouse gases. Shortwave radiation (like sunlight) is absorbed by the Earth's surface but does not directly relate to the radiative forcing from greenhouse gases.
Option (c) - Shortwave radiation emitted by the earth’s surface is absorbed and scattered: This is incorrect because the Earth emits longwave radiation, not shortwave. Shortwave radiation is primarily from the Sun, and it is the longwave radiation that causes the greenhouse effect.
Option (d) - Longwave radiation arriving from the sun is selectively transmitted: The Sun emits shortwave radiation, not longwave radiation. Longwave radiation is emitted by the Earth's surface, which is influenced by greenhouse gases.
