UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 42
The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D
Explanation: Carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing outgoing longwave infrared radiation emitted by Earth.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - Water vapour is itself a greenhouse gas; CO₂ does not warm the atmosphere by simply absorbing water vapour.
B: Incorrect - UV sunlight is not the principal radiation CO₂ traps in the greenhouse effect.
C: Incorrect - CO₂ does not absorb all incoming solar radiation.
D: Correct - Correct: it absorbs and re-emits terrestrial infrared radiation.