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if in the future, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere rise so that 10% less of the ir radiation emitted from the earth's surface is getting out through the atmosphere than at present, calculate how many degrees kelvin hotter the surface of the earth would be?

User Eselskas
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Final answer:

The greenhouse effect raises the surface temperature of the Earth by about 23 °C. If the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, resulting in 10% less of the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface being able to escape through the atmosphere, the surface temperature would rise. Using a specific equation, we can calculate that the surface of the Earth would be approximately 1.36 degrees Kelvin hotter.

Step-by-step explanation:

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that raises the surface temperature of the Earth by about 23 °C. Without this effect, the average surface temperature would be below freezing, resulting in a global ice age. The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere determines the extent of the greenhouse effect. If the concentration of greenhouse gases increases in the future so that 10% less of the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface can escape through the atmosphere, the surface temperature would rise.

To calculate how many degrees Kelvin hotter the surface of the Earth would be, we can use the following equation:

ΔT = (dT * K * 100) / (100 - dT * K)

Where ΔT is the change in temperature, dT is the percentage change in the transmission of infrared radiation through the atmosphere (in this case, 10%), and K is the factor that relates the change in temperature to the change in transmission.

Based on the information provided, we can use K = 1.2. Substituting these values into the equation, we can calculate ΔT:

ΔT = (0.1 * 1.2 * 100) / (100 - 0.1 * 1.2) = 1.3636

Therefore, the surface of the Earth would be approximately 1.36 degrees Kelvin hotter.

User Imaximchuk
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