Practise explaining Earth radiation balance, greenhouse warming from reduced outgoing infrared, and warming or cooling conditions with CAIE IGCSE Physics questions and mark schemes.
The Earth's surface absorbs incoming radiation from the Sun and also emits thermal radiation from its surface.
Over the past 50 years, scientists estimate that the average temperature of the Earth's surface has increased by approximately 0.75∘C.
Explain what is causing this average temperature rise.
increase in carbon dioxide / greenhouse gases (in the atmosphere)
OR
increase in methane / water vapour (in the atmosphere)
any one from:
prevents / reduces (re-emitted) radiation escaping (into space)
OR
radiation re-emitted / reflected back to surface (by atmosphere / greenhouse gases)
OR
(amount of) radiation absorbed is greater than (the amount of) radiation leaving the atmosphere