The atmosphere insulates the earth by keeping the sun's warmth contained.
There is a natural greenhouse effect, supported by the water cycle and the carbon cycle, that ensures that the earth is kept insulated and warm. Greenhouse gases capture and hold the sun's infra-red radiation from the surface of the earth. These gases then radiate the heat out in all directions, including back down to the surface of the earth.
The atmosphere insulates Earth by trapping heat from the Sun through a process involving greenhouse gases. Sunlight warms the Earth, which emits heat as infrared radiation, and greenhouse gases absorb this heat, keeping it close to the surface. This process is essential for maintaining conditions suitable for life on our planet.
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