Incoming solar radiation (light energy) is absorbed by the Earth's surface and converted to outgoing infrared radiation (heat en

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Incoming solar radiation (light energy) is absorbed by the Earth's surface and converted to outgoing infrared radiation (heat en

ergy). Since energy can neither be created nor destroyed, if more energy enters the Earth's climate system than leaves it, a net disequilibrium in the Earth's energy balance would result in __________.

Physics

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Softa [3K] · Answer 1 · 2026-03-14T13:30:35+03:00

An increase in temperature (Global warming) is observed. The solar radiation is transformed into heat energy absorbed by Earth's surface. In line with the law of conservation of energy, energy can only transition forms rather than disappear. If an increasing quantity of energy accumulates on Earth with minimal release, this imbalance in energy demand leads to a rise in temperature due to excessive heat absorption, largely a result of pollution from fossil fuel combustion releasing CO2 and other harmful emissions. Ordinarily, the residual solar energy would escape back into space, but CO2 and similar contaminants trap this heat, thus elevating Earth's temperature.