What traps solar energy in the atmosphere?

1 Answer
Aug 19, 2015

Nothing

Explanation:

I don't know if you did this on purpose but this is a trick question. Nothing in the atmosphere traps solar energy, since solar energy is either reflected (albedo) or passes through the atmosphere to the Earth to heat the surface of the Earth.

The energy I think you are referring to is long wave radiation (essentially heat) emitted by the Earth. That is what is released and gets trapped by greenhouse gases.