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Which one of the following gases is transparent to incoming solar radiation and opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation?
  • a)
    Oxygen
  • b)
    Nitrogen
  • c)
    Helium
  • d)
    Carbon dioxide
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which one of the following gases is transparent to incoming solar radi...
The correct answer is option D, Carbon dioxide.

Explanation:

Incoming solar radiation, also known as shortwave radiation, consists mainly of visible light and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These wavelengths of radiation are able to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere without significant obstruction. Therefore, the gas that is transparent to incoming solar radiation will allow this radiation to pass through it without absorbing or scattering it.

On the other hand, outgoing terrestrial radiation, also known as longwave radiation, is primarily in the form of infrared radiation. This radiation is emitted by the Earth's surface and is absorbed by certain gases in the atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is responsible for trapping some of the heat within the Earth's atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space. The gases that are opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation absorb and re-emit this radiation, trapping it within the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the key greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. It is transparent to incoming solar radiation, allowing it to pass through without obstruction. However, it is opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation. This means that carbon dioxide absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, trapping some of the heat within the atmosphere.

The other options - Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Helium - are not major greenhouse gases and do not significantly affect the Earth's energy balance. They are transparent to both incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation. While they can absorb some specific wavelengths of radiation, their overall impact on the greenhouse effect is minimal.

In summary, carbon dioxide is transparent to incoming solar radiation but opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation, making it a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect.
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Which one of the following gases is transparent to incoming solar radi...
Carbon Dioxide:
  • Carbon dioxide is meteorologically a very important gas.
  • It is transparent to the incoming solar radiation but opaque to the outgoing terrestrial radiation.
  • It absorbs a part of terrestrial radiation and reflects back some part of it towards the earth’s surface.
  • It is largely responsible for the greenhouse effect.
  • The volume of other gases is constant but the volume of carbon dioxide has been rising in the past few decades mainly because of the burning of fossil fuels.
  • This has also increased the temperature of the air.
​Thus, carbon dioxide is transparent to incoming solar radiation and opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation.
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Which one of the following gases is transparent to incoming solar radiation and opaque to outgoing terrestrial radiation?a)Oxygenb)Nitrogenc)Heliumd)Carbon dioxideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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