Astronomers observe a planet that receives radiation from its star and has methane in its atmosphere. For many years, the planet's average temperature remains constant.
Later, the concentration of methane in the atmosphere decreases and a greater area of the planet becomes covered by bright clouds.
Explain why the planet initially has a constant average temperature, and how each of these changes could affect its average temperature.
96 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 5.3 Black body radiation, covering 5.3.1 Emission of radiation and temperature, 5.3.2 Radiation balance and constant temperature, and 5.3.3 The temperature of the Earth. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.