Discovering the Magnitude of the Greenhouse Effect on Venus

What is the greenhouse effect on Venus?

a) The greenhouse effect on Venus is negligible
b) The greenhouse effect is moderate, impacting Venus' temperature
c) The greenhouse effect is significant, causing extreme temperatures on Venus
d) Venus does not experience a greenhouse effect

Final answer:

The greenhouse effect on Venus is significant, resulting in extreme temperatures due to its high carbon dioxide levels and causing a runaway greenhouse effect.

Explanation:

The magnitude of the greenhouse effect on Venus is significant, causing extreme temperatures on the planet. Venus has a very high concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in its atmosphere, nearly a million times more than Earth, which results in a much stronger greenhouse effect. The CO₂ acts as a thermal blanket, trapping infrared heat and preventing it from escaping into space, leading to surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead. This creates a condition known as the runaway greenhouse effect, which drastically raises the surface temperature until energy balance is achieved, where Venus radiates as much energy as it receives from the sun.

The high surface temperatures resulting from Venus's runaway greenhouse effect serve as a stark example of the potential severity of global warming on Earth. Venus's current state underscores the importance of managing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent a comparable scenario on our own planet.