1) Changes in earth's climate depend primarily on the amount of sunlight hitting the earth, the trapping of energy by greenhouse gases, and _________________.

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about factors that determine changes in Earth's climate, highlighting the primary drivers besides sunlight reaching Earth and greenhouse gas trapping. 
Option 1: 'how much sunlight is reflected off the earth and back into space' — This corresponds to the planet's albedo, the fraction of solar radiation reflected by Earth's surface and atmosphere. A higher albedo means less solar energy is absorbed, which can cool the climate; a lower albedo means more energy is absorbed, contributing to warming. This is a core component of climate dynamics. 
Option 2: 'the amount of nitrogen gas in the earth's atmosphere' — While nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, it is largely inert with respect to radiative forcing and climate change. Changes in nitrogen concentration do not significantly drive long-term climate shifts like greenhouse gases do, so this is not a primary control. 
Option 3: 'the amount of oxygen gas in the earth's atmosphere' — Similar to nitrogen, the atmospheric oxygen level is relatively stable on human timescales and does not play a major role in regulating Earth's energy balance or climate through radiative processes. This makes it an incorrect primary driver for climate changes. 
Option 4: 'how much sunlight is reflected off the moon then hits the earth' — While lunar reflections can contribute a minuscule amount of light, the Moon does not meaningfully affect Earth’s climate energy budget. The phrasing implies a radiative influence that is far too small to be relevant to climate change. 
Overall, the option that aligns with established climate science is the one describing albedo, the reflectivity of Earth, which modulates how much solar energy is retained.

202570_GEOL7_70036 Albedo Quiz

1) Changes in earth's climate depend primarily on the amount of sunlight hitting the earth, the trapping of energy by greenhouse gases, and _________________.

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Similar Questions

Albedo is the ratio of reflected solar radiation to the total incoming solar radiation

Albedo is the ratio of reflected solar radiation to the total incoming solar radiation

On the other hand, urban centers, such as the one pictured to the right in Figure 8, most likely have a __ albedo

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How does albedo in the southern hemisphere differ between the two maps in Figure 3-7?

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