2024 · Q5
Which one of the following statements with regard to greenhouse effect is correct?
general-sciencebiotech-environment-science
- AIt can take place inside a glass chamber where no radiation can pass into it or pass back through it
- BIt can take place inside a glass chamber where long wavelength infrared radiation can pass through into it and short wavelength infrared radiation cannot pass back through it
- CIt can take place inside a glass chamber where short wavelength infrared radiation can pass through into it and long wavelength infrared radiation cannot pass back through it
- DIt can take place inside a glass chamber where all infrared radiation can pass into it or pass back through it
Explanation
The greenhouse effect works by selective transparency: incoming short-wavelength (including short-wave infrared) solar radiation passes through glass, is absorbed by surfaces inside, and is re-emitted as long-wavelength infrared radiation, which glass absorbs and does not let escape freely — trapping heat. Option C states exactly this mechanism. Option D is wrong because if all infrared radiation could pass freely in and out, no heat would be trapped and there would be no greenhouse warming at all.