Final answer:
The surface of Venus is extremely hot due to a runaway greenhouse effect caused by its dense CO2 atmosphere. This situation is relevant to global warming on Earth as it underscores the consequences of excessive greenhouse gas accumulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason why the surface of Venus is some 450°C hotter than the surface of Earth is due to a runaway greenhouse effect. Unlike Earth, where the greenhouse effect results in a moderate temperature increase, on Venus it leads to extreme heating.
The thick carbon dioxide (CO2) atmosphere on Venus creates an intense blanket that traps infrared radiation, making it difficult for heat to escape back into space. This results in the intense heating of Venus's surface.
In terms of relevance to global warming on Earth, Venus's extreme temperatures serve as a cautionary tale for what can happen when greenhouse gases accumulate in a planet's atmosphere. As Earth's levels of CO2 rise, understanding Venus's climate can help us appreciate the potential severity of the greenhouse effect on our own planet and the importance of managing our carbon emissions.