The greenhouse effect, which heats a planet's surface above the predicted equilibrium surface temperature for the planet without an atmosphere, is far less effective on Mars than on Earth. Why is this?
A)The Martian surface temperature is very low, and this reduces the effectiveness of the greenhouse effect.
B)There is less energy being conducted upward from the Martian interior to the surface of Mars because of the thickness of its crust compared to that of Earth.
C)The Martian atmosphere contains no gases that can absorb solar radiation.
D)The Martian atmosphere is very thin and traps less infrared radiation from the surface.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The greenhouse effect relies on greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, to trap and re-radiate infrared energy from the planet's surface. Mars has a very thin atmosphere with a low concentration of greenhouse gases, which means that the greenhouse effect is much less effective than on Earth. As a result, Mars has a much colder surface temperature than predicted by its distance from the sun and its lack of an atmosphere would suggest.

The Greenhouse Effect, Which Heats a Planet's Surface Above the Predicted