Question

Without our present day atmosphere the average surface temperature of the earth would be

• A. $-{18}^{o}C$
• B. $+{17}^{o}C$
• C. $-{50}^{o}C$
• D. $+{50}^{o}C$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$-{18}^{o}C$

The atmosphere is composed of several gasses like water vapour and carbon dioxide that trap heat from the sun. This maintains average temperature on the planet's surface.

Without it, the surface temperature of the Earth would be –18 degrees Celsius and life, even if possible, would be quite different. Hence option A is correct.