2006-06-16 10:35:20 · 3 answers · asked by ijcoffin 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas at all altitudes. You are correct that it is heavier than air, and therefore is less prevalent at higher altitudes.
2006-06-16 12:47:04 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It's definitely D. Greenhouse gases absorb some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth that would otherwise be lost to space. EDIT: Well, as virtually everyone has said, it's D. John W is correct in pointing out that it is not reflected infrared, but radiated (let's not call it re-radiated) infrared emitted by the Earth. Most of the sun's radiation is in the visible spectrum, so that is mostly what the Earth reflects, and I don't believe it's a very good reflector of infrared anyway. Even Charles M (sometimes known as James E) gets D right, but he spreads misinformation about carbon dioxide and methane not being greenhouse gases--they most definitely are. Instead of doing experiments with a coke bottle, he might have tried using an infrared spectraphotometer to look at the absorption characteristics of pure CO2.
2016-05-19 21:42:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, what does "air" consist of?
2006-06-16 10:44:54 · answer #3 · answered by TC 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋