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Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.

The popular view is that the atmosphere has some sort of layer of carbon dioxide "up there" that reflects heat back down to Earth rather than letting it escape to space. That would be like the glass on a greenhouse trapping warm air in while letting the sunlight through to increase the heat. In a greenhouse the sunlight warms the benches and floor, the warm objects heat the air, the air is trapped by the double layer of insulating glass.

It does not happen that way.

Sunlight comes in and warms the Earth's surface. It warms the gases in the air too, at least some of them with a bond size that gets excited by sunlight. These special gases are greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour and a few others). They are mixed evenly through all of the atmosphere (not in layers). When the gases are warm they share their heat with all their gas molecule neighbours and heat the atmosphere generally.

The effect is more like wet sand in a microwave. Microwaves do not heat sand. They do heat water. When you microwave wet sand, the water heats up - might even turn to steam. The hot water warms the sand.

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What element is responsible for the green house affect?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary element responsible for the greenhouse effect. It traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming. Other greenhouse gases, such as methane and water vapor, also contribute to this effect.


What makes a greenhouse gas and how does it contribute to the Earth's climate system?

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth's surface to warm. This warming effect is known as the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. When these gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they enhance the natural greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.


Why are nitrogen and oxygen not considered greenhouse gases?

Nitrogen and oxygen are not considered greenhouse gases because they do not absorb or emit infrared radiation, which is necessary for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane have this ability, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming.


How does methane affect the earth temperature?

Saying that it causes global warming may be a bit of an overreach.However, it is a greenhouse gas, 21 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide, and could certainly be a contributing factor.


What role do greenhouse gases play in trapping heat in the atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation. This process, known as the greenhouse effect, helps regulate the planet's temperature and keeps it warm enough to support life.

Related Questions

What gas increases the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide is the one, followed by methane. The greenhouse effect is being increased by emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and methane (CH4) from cattle farming, rice paddies and melting tundra.Greenhouse gases. The most notable of which are carbon dioxide and methane.Carbon dioxide and methane, mostly.


Is pollution a part of the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are referred to as pollution because of the powerful effect they have in causing an enhanced greenhouse effect which is responsible for global warming.


What of l the following would most likely increase the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is most likely to increase with the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes release these gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and leading to global warming. Increased agricultural practices and livestock farming also contribute significantly to methane emissions, further exacerbating the greenhouse effect.


What would make the greenhouse effect stronger?

An increase in greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, would make the greenhouse effect stronger. These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the warming of the planet. Deforestation, industrial activities, and burning of fossil fuels are some of the primary sources of these emissions.


What greenhouse gases appear to be responsible for the enhancement of the earth's greenhouse effect?

The primary greenhouse gases responsible for enhancing Earth's greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the levels of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.


Which of the following gases are mainly responsible for the atmospheric greenhouse effect in the earth's atmosphere?

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor are the main gases responsible for the atmospheric greenhouse effect in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and warm the planet's surface through a natural process known as the greenhouse effect.


Reducing the emissions of which gas will lead to reducing the greenhouse effect?

Reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) is critical for mitigating the greenhouse effect, as it is the most significant greenhouse gas released through human activities, primarily from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Additionally, lowering emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) is also essential, as these gases have a much higher global warming potential than CO2. Collectively, addressing these emissions can significantly slow climate change and its impacts.


What gas is responsible for the greenhouse effect during global warming?

The gas which we can do most to prevent, and the one that is causing the increase in temperatures, is carbon dioxide.


Which effect is responsible for global warming?

The greenhouse effect is primarily responsible for global warming. This process involves the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, leading to a rise in global temperatures. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the concentration of these gases, intensifying the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming.


Where do most of the emission that pollute the air come from?

A lot of carbon dioxide emissions are from cars and factories. However, an often overlooked source of greenhouse gas (methane) is cows. Cows actually add more to the greenhouse effect than cars do.


What is the greenhouse effect and what gases are responsible for it?

The greenhouse effect keeps the earth warm enough for life. This is a good thing.The gases responsible are mostly water vapour and carbon dioxide.The enhanced greenhouse effect is causing global warming and climate change. This is a very dangerous thing.The gases responsible are mostly carbon dioxide (from our burning of fossil fuels which release long-hidden carbon) and methane (from cattle, agricultural practices, rice paddies and melting tundra).


How may raising livestock be worsening the greenhouse effect?

Raising livestock, especially cattle, may be worsening the greenhouse effect because of the amount of methane that cattle belch out. Methane is a greenhouse that is 20 times stronger than carbon dioxide. Scientists are looking for ways to change cattle food that will reduce the amount of methane produced.