CAIE IGCSE Physics Earth's Radiation Balance
Practise explaining Earth's temperature rise through increased greenhouse gases reducing the infrared radiation that escapes from the surface to space.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Physics 0625
Exam points
- link more greenhouse gas to less emitted infrared escaping and a net gain that warms Earth
2.3.3.6—How the temperature of the Earth is question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
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)
B1
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
B1
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