Final answer:
The two most influential factors in retaining Earth's atmospheric heat are Greenhouse gases and Albedo. Greenhouse gases trap heat within the atmosphere, while Albedo reflects solar radiation, with clouds playing a significant role in this process. The correct answer to the question is c. Greenhouse gases and Albedo.
Step-by-step explanation:
The temperature of Earth is influenced by various factors, with the question at hand focusing on what are the two most influential factors in the process of heat retention in the lower levels of the atmosphere and at the surface. Considering the options provided, the correct answer is c. Greenhouse gases and Albedo.
Greenhouse gases play a critical role in trapping the heat within the atmosphere, resembling the function of glass in a greenhouse. Key greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and ozone, which absorb and emit radiation at certain wavelengths, particularly in the infrared spectrum. This absorption-emission process leads to more thermal energy being reflected back to the Earth's surface, thereby warming it up.
Albedo refers to the Earth's reflectivity, which controls the amount of solar energy that is reflected back into space. Earth's average albedo is around 0.65, but this can vary greatly due to clouds and the varying reflective properties of the Earth's surface. Clouds in particular reduce the heat transfer into space by reflecting more radiation back towards the surface. Together, greenhouse gases and albedo determine the equilibrium of Earth's temperature by controlling the incoming and outgoing radiation.