Final answer:
Greenhouse gases absorb and emit electromagnetic radiation primarily in the thermal infrared range, contributing to the greenhouse effect that warms the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greenhouse gases absorb electromagnetic radiation primarily in the thermal infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Earth's atmosphere contains various greenhouse gases, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane, which play a critical role in maintaining the planet's temperature by trapping thermal energy.
As incoming solar radiation strikes the Earth's surface, some of the energy is absorbed and then radiated back as infrared radiation. This radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gas molecules in the atmosphere and can be re-emitted in all directions. This process effectively warms the Earth's surface and the lower atmosphere, leading to what is known as the greenhouse effect.