Greenhouse principle — what do we call a “body” or enclosure that admits short-wavelength incoming solar radiation but restricts the escape of long-wavelength outgoing infrared radiation, thereby trapping heat?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: green house

Explanation:


Introduction:
The greenhouse principle describes selective transmission of radiation: sunlight (short wavelength) enters easily, while thermal infrared (long wavelength) is impeded from escaping. The question asks for the term applied to such a “body” or enclosure.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Incoming radiation: predominantly short-wave solar.
  • Outgoing radiation: long-wave infrared emitted by warmed surfaces.
  • Enclosure: allows in short-wave, blocks or reduces outgoing long-wave.


Concept / Approach:
A greenhouse (e.g., glasshouse) uses glazing that is transparent to solar radiation but relatively opaque to thermal IR. This raises interior temperature compared with ambient conditions.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Identify the selective spectral behavior: transmit short-wave, inhibit long-wave.2) Recognize the common engineering term for such an enclosure: greenhouse.3) Therefore, among the options provided, “green house” is the correct term.


Verification / Alternative check:
In environmental engineering and climatology teaching, the “greenhouse effect” explains how glazing and certain atmospheric gases trap heat by limiting IR escape while admitting sunlight.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Global warming: a broader climatic trend, not the specific enclosure.
  • Atmospheric effect: too vague; lacks the specific selective transmission meaning.
  • Ionosphere: a high-altitude plasma layer affecting radio waves, unrelated to heat trapping via IR.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing the physical greenhouse with the atmospheric greenhouse effect; the atmosphere also traps heat, but mechanisms (e.g., convection dynamics) add complexity.


Final Answer:
Green house is the correct term for such an enclosure.

More Questions from Environmental Engineering

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion