KIDS TRIVIA

Detailed explanation-1: -The earth-atmosphere energy balance is achieved as the energy received from the Sun balances the energy lost by the Earth back into space. In this way, the Earth maintains a stable average temperature and therefore a stable climate.

Detailed explanation-2: -The key appears to lie in the interplay between plate tectonics, carbon dioxide and the oceans (see “The Earth’s thermostat”). The cycle begins with volcanoes spewing CO2 into the atmosphere, which helps keep the planet warm, thanks to the greenhouse effect.

Detailed explanation-3: -Since carbon dioxide also efficiently emits heat, any heat captured by carbon dioxide sooner escapes to space than it finds another molecule to absorb it. As a result, an increase in greenhouses gases like carbon dioxide means more heat is lost to space-and the upper atmosphere cools.