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What is it about the molecular structure of CO2 that makes it a greenhouse gas while other molecules in the atmosphere are not?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Water absorb infrared light.
UV, and visible light come from the sun, warm the earth which then releases infrared light which is absorbed by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses rather than letting it radiate back into space.
Methane is of minimal amounts in the atmosphere, but may be increased by feedlots and some of modern farming methods.
Water is in a balance, but possibly warming temperatures could cause an increase in the water carrying capacity of the air to increase humidity and and it's effect as a greenhouse gas.
Carbon Dioxide is a small constituent of our atmosphere, approximately 0.04%, but it has been measurably increasing since the industrial revolution, or from about 0.03% to 0.04%. While it does vary in natural cycles, it is believed that it is at a 400,000 year maximum.
See Wikipedia's article for more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What happens to the molecules when you boil water do they boils off or stay behind?
Whe you boil water, molecules of water "escape" into the atmosphere. The molecular structure of water is unaffected by boiling.
What are the five layers of us based on physical properties?
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What is the molecular structure of an apple?
An apple is a collection of thousands of different molecules. Some molecules found in apples are starches, proteins, fats, sugars, pectins, and water.
Is displaces hydrogen from an atom a physical or chemical property?
Chemical because it's breaking apart the molecular structure of the water molecules.
What is the structure of Cyclopentanol?
The molecular structure of cyclopentanol is that of cyclopentyl alcohol, an alcohol. The molecular formula is C5H10O, and its molecular weight is 86.13 grams per mole.
Can molecular structure of moonlight change random?
No. Light is not made of molecules and has no molecular structure to change.
What happens to the molecules when you boil water do they boils off or stay behind?
Whe you boil water, molecules of water "escape" into the atmosphere. The molecular structure of water is unaffected by boiling.
Which pair of molecules share the same chemical composition but differ in molecular structure?
Lactose and sucrose share the same chemical composition but differ in molecular structure. Such molecules are called isomers.
What has the author Norman L Allinger written?
Norman L. Allinger has written: 'Structures of organic molecules' -- subject(s): Molecular structure, Molecules, Organic Chemistry 'Topics in Stereochemistry' 'Molecular structure' -- subject(s): Physical organic chemistry, Molecular structure
What are the molecules that share the same chemical composition but differ in molecular structure?
isomers
Why is the molecular structure for ice cream is good for freezing?
becuse the molecules are spread out
What has the author Graham Doggett written?
Graham Doggett has written: 'The electronic structure of molecules: theory and application to inorganic molecules' -- subject(s): Chemistry, Inorganic, Electrons, Inorganic Chemistry, Molecular orbitals, Molecular structure
What is a greenhouse gas in our atmosphere?
The primary greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor. By their molecular structure they can absorb and hold the energy of sunlight and re emit it as heat to the atmosphere.There is a misconception that the gases are in a layer that reflects the heat back to Earth. They are dispersed throughout the whole of the atmosphere.
Can molecular structure of sunlight change random?
Sunlight is not made of molecules and therefore has no "molecular structure."Sunlight can induce certain types of chemical changes in molecules that it hits; however, these are not "random" but fall into certain well-defined classes.
How is the term molecular properly defined?
Molecular is defined as something of, related to, or consisting of molecules. Another definition of molecular is something of or related to a basic form or structure.
What has the author L V Vilkov written?
L. V. Vilkov has written: 'Determination of the geometrical structure of free molecules' -- subject(s): Molecular structure, Free molecules
What are molecules with three carbons called?
Propane has three carbons and this is it's molecular structure: C3H8.
