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How can changes in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere cause global warming?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Carbon dioxide is totally transparent in the visible spectrum of light, but somewhat opaque at some infrared frequencies. Thus, it allows the sun's energy to pass freely through the atmosphere to the surface as visible light, but when this energy is re-radiated from the earth as infrared (heat) rays, some of them are absorbed by the atmospheric carbon dioxide, preventing them from escaping into space.
When the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide increased, as is occurring now as a result of human activities (burning fossil fuels), it stops or absorbs more of the infrared radiation at these frequencies, making the air and the earth warmer. Thus we have global warming.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Why should the amount of carbon in the atmosphere today be reduced?
The present levels of carbon dioxide dioxide in the atmosphere are causing global warming and climate change.
How might gases cause climatic changes?
Greenhouse gases that we are adding to the atmosphere are carbon dioxide and methane (mostly). These gases reduce the amount of thermal energy escaping into space, effectively warming the atmosphere. Too much warming heats the whole globe, global warming, which is causing climate change.
What is the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide and global temperature?
Increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is considered a factor that increase the global warming.
What is the problem with a small increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?
A small amount of carbon dioxide is all it takes to keep the earth comfortably warm for millions of years. A small increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is all it takes to cause global warming and threaten the future of the human race.
Does global warming result from human actions that increase amount of water vapor in atmosphere?
No, global warming results from humans increasing the amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There is a certain amount of water vapor in the atmosphere that remains fairly constant and is part of the natural water cycle. In other words, human actions can not increase the water vapor in the atmosphere.
What happens when there is great amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas which is causing Global Warming. When there is a great amount of it in the atmosphere, then it absorbs a great amount of heat. This makes Global Warming worse.
Why should the amount of carbon in the atmosphere today be reduced?
The present levels of carbon dioxide dioxide in the atmosphere are causing global warming and climate change.
How might gases cause climatic changes?
Greenhouse gases that we are adding to the atmosphere are carbon dioxide and methane (mostly). These gases reduce the amount of thermal energy escaping into space, effectively warming the atmosphere. Too much warming heats the whole globe, global warming, which is causing climate change.
The amount of what in the atmosphere would have a positive effect on both global warming and acid deposition?
Carbon dioxide.
What is the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide and global temperature?
Increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is considered a factor that increase the global warming.
Decreasing the amount of what substance in the atmosphere would have a positive effect on both global warming and acid deposition?
Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. It also dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, one form of acid rain. So reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would have a positive effect on global warming and acid deposition.
What effect would over logging of trees have in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Over-logging of trees means that they can no longer remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This has actually happened and levels of carbon dioxide are building up in the atmosphere causing global warming.
What effect would over-logging of trees have on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Over-logging of trees means that they can no longer remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This has actually happened and levels of carbon dioxide are building up in the atmosphere causing global warming.
What effect would over logging of trees have on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Over-logging of trees means that they can no longer remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This has actually happened and levels of carbon dioxide are building up in the atmosphere causing global warming.
You are finding ways to reduce global warming After meticulous research you report that decreasing the amount of what in the atmosphere would have a positive effect?
carbon dioxide.....? i thinkCarbon Dioxide.
What effect is enhanced on earth with increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
An increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere results in an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. A decrease usually results in a decreased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
What is the problem with a small increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere?
A small amount of carbon dioxide is all it takes to keep the earth comfortably warm for millions of years. A small increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is all it takes to cause global warming and threaten the future of the human race.
