qThe very strong downward emission of terrestrial
radiation from the atmosphere is crucial to main the relatively
small diurnal variation of surface temperature.
qIf this large downward radiation is not larger
than solar heating of the surface, the surface temperature would warm
rapidly during the day and cool rapidly at the night.
q č a large diurnal variation of surface
temperature.
qThe greenhouse effect not only keeps Earth’s
surface warm but also limit the amplitude of the diurnal
temperature variation at the surface.