(1) The gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect on Earth are in order of greatest to smallest in importance, (B) CO2,H2O,CH4 (b) H2O,CO2,CH4 (c) CH4,CO2,H2O (d) H2O,CH4,CO2 (2) What is geostrophic balance? (a) The exact balance of incoming SW and outgoing LW radiation at the top of the atmosphere. (b) The exact balance of vertical pressure gradient and gravity in the atmosphere (c) The exact balance of the Coriolis force horizontal pressure gradient force and friction. (d) The exact balance of the Coriolis force and the horizontal pressure gradient force.

(1) The correct answer is (b) $H2O,CO2,CH4$.<br /><br />Explanation: The gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect on Earth, in order of greatest to smallest in importance, are water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). Water vapor is the most significant greenhouse gas, followed by carbon dioxide and then methane.<br /><br />(2) The correct answer is (d) The exact balance of the Coriolis force and the horizontal pressure gradient force.<br /><br />Explanation: Geostrophic balance refers to the equilibrium between the Coriolis force and the horizontal pressure gradient force in the atmosphere. This balance occurs when the pressure gradient force, which pushes air from high to low pressure, is exactly balanced by the Coriolis force, which deflects moving air to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.