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Sunlight heats the earth, and the earth radiates heat in the form of long wavelengths of infrared light. These activate the greenhouse gas molecules causing them to vibrate and become warm.
(Another contributor wrote:)
Greenhouse gases absorb infrared electromagnetic radiation. As sunlight (mostly UV and visible light) heats the earth, longer wavelengths are radiated or emitted, i.e infrared light. Infrared active molecules, such as carbon dioxide and methane, absorb infrared light causing these molecules to vibrate. High concentrations of these vibrating molecules in the gaseous atmosphere provides for energy transfer (kinetic) due to vibrational collision. Because temperature is simply a measure of kinetic energy in matter, an increase in vibrational energy of gaseous molecules results in a rise in air temperature. The global result is an increase in measured average ambient temperatures.
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∙ 12y ago
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Which part of the earth acts like the glass in a greenhouse and traps heat in?
the reason is that certain gases, dubbed greenhouse gases by us scientists have the ability to trap heat radiation from the suns rays in our atmosphere, heat that would normally dissipate into the vacuum of space. those gases include methane and carbon dioxide. when in suitable amounts those gases are actually beneficial to life on earth as without them the earth would be far too cold to support any interesting life. unfortunately human activities are releasing huge amounts of said greenhouse gases into the air, meaning that more heat rays are trapped and hey presto, the world heats up
Which of the following describes the greenhouse effect?
gases in the atmosphere trap the suns warmth
How do greenhouse gases trap heat in earths atmosphere?
Greenhouse gases aren't trapping heat it but letting more in. The Earth's atmosphere blocks out most of the suns heat and harmful rays. With the gases polluting the world, the atmosphere is slowly weakening, letting more and more heat through.
Do any outer planets have the greenhouse effect?
No because they do not have an atmosphere that will absorb the suns rays and trap it in like our atmosphere does.
How does the atmosphere act like a greenhouse?
the reason is that certain gases, dubbed greenhouse gases by us scientists have the ability to trap heat radiation from the suns rays in our atmosphere, heat that would normally dissipate into the vacuum of space. those gases include methane and carbon dioxide. when in suitable amounts those gases are actually beneficial to life on earth as without them the earth would be far too cold to support any interesting life. unfortunately human activities are releasing huge amounts of said greenhouse gases into the air, meaning that more heat rays are trapped and hey presto, the world heats up
What is Air above earth that is warmed by the reflection of the suns rays and is prevented from easily passing back into space?
greenhouse effect
What is the air above earth that is warmed by the reflection of the suns rays and is prevented from easily passing back into space?
greenhouse effect
Why do you need some greenhouse gases?
Greenhouse gases reflect the suns radiation back against the planet, thus keeping it warm. Too little and we'd get too cold, too much we'd get too warm.
Does ice reflect suns rays in Antarctica?
It does indeed reflect the suns rays.
How much of the suns rays get absorbed into our atmosphere?
About 17% of the suns rays get absorbed into our atmosphere
Wjat is the greenhouse effect?
Where greenhouse gases (CO2) enter the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, and build up and build up, keeping more of the suns heat trapped in the atmosphere and on earth, raising temperatures.
Why did temperatures on the moon vary so much?
Because there is no atmosphere the greenhouse effect does not take place. All of the suns rays are reaching the moon with full power.
