UPSC Prelims 2025 · Question 49 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2025 question on Atmosphere Greenhouse Effect
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2025
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicClimatology
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface.
II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet's average temperature.
III. Atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Answer: C. I, II and III
Verdict
All three statements are correct → Option (c).
Statement by statement
Statement I – CORRECT: Without the atmosphere, temperatures would be well below freezing everywhere on Earth's surface. The atmosphere plays a crucial role in trapping heat through the natural greenhouse effect, preventing much of the outgoing infrared radiation from escaping into space.
Statement II – CORRECT: The heat absorbed and trapped by our atmosphere keeps our planet's average surface temperature at a balmy 15°C (59°F). Hence Statement II is correct.
Statement III – CORRECT: Some of the atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Changes in the amounts of these gases directly affect our climate. Hence Statement III is correct.