Final answer:
Solar radiation, greenhouse gas emissions, plate tectonics, and wind patterns all influence the average temperature of the planet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The average temperature of the planet is influenced by several factors, including solar radiation, greenhouse gas emissions, plate tectonics, and wind patterns.
Solar radiation: The amount of heat energy from the sun reaching Earth impacts the average temperature.
Greenhouse gas emissions: Gases like carbon dioxide contribute to the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing the temperature to rise.
Plate tectonics: Movements of Earth's plates can affect climate patterns over long periods.
Wind patterns: The circulation of air masses, influenced by factors like temperature gradients and Earth's rotation, affects temperature distribution.