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1) Absorption of IR radiation depends on the dipole moment of a molecule (which might be considered the tension on the shared electrons within the molecule).
2) In a homonuclear molecule (such as O2), the identical nuclei exert an identical pull on the shared electrons. The dipole moment is zero, and can interact with radiation of zero frequency and zero wavelength. Such radiation does not exist.
3) In a heteronuclear molecule such as water, the differing nuclei of oxygen and hydrogen exert an unequal pull on the shared electrons. This produces a non-zero dipole moment which is capable of interacting with infrared radiation, raising the molecule to a higher energy level.
4) Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a particular case. The oxygen atoms are at exactly opposite sides of the carbon. Although each side has a dipole moment, since the molecule is symmetrical it tends to cancel out.
However, there is the possibility of movement of nuclei within the molecule. If the movement is symmetrical, there is no dipole moment. If the movement is asymmetrical, a dipole moment is temporarily produced. If there is infrared radiation present in the right orientation, interaction is possible. Therefore carbon dioxide is a fairly weak greenhouse gas.
However, since it is being continually introduced into the atmosphere by human activity, its effect is being raised continually as well.
What else can I help you with?
What can greenhouse gas molecules do when they encounter infrared radiation?
Greenhouse gas molecules can absorb and re-emit infrared radiation when they encounter it. This process traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
What happens to greenhouse gas molecules when they encounter infrared radiation?
When greenhouse gas molecules encounter infrared radiation, they absorb the radiation and become energized. This causes them to vibrate and release heat energy, which contributes to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere.
What gas absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the greenhouse effect?
The gas that absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide (CO2).
What kind of radiation causes molecules to vibrate?
Infrared radiation causes molecules to vibrate by interacting with their bonds and increasing their kinetic energy. This vibration results in an increase in temperature, which is why infrared radiation is often used in heat lamps and infrared saunas.
How do greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation and contribute to the Earth's warming?
Greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface. This absorption traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to the warming of the Earth's surface. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
What can greenhouse gas molecules do when they encounter infrared radiation?
Greenhouse gas molecules can absorb and re-emit infrared radiation when they encounter it. This process traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
What happens to greenhouse gas molecules when they encounter infrared radiation?
When greenhouse gas molecules encounter infrared radiation, they absorb the radiation and become energized. This causes them to vibrate and release heat energy, which contributes to the warming of the Earth's atmosphere.
What gas absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the greenhouse effect?
The gas that absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide (CO2).
Do all molecules absorb infrared radiation?
No, not all molecules absorb infrared radiation. Only molecules with specific molecular vibrations that match the energy of infrared radiation can absorb it. These vibrations involve changes in dipole moment or stretching/bending of bonds.
What absorbs infra red?
Materials that are good absorbers of infrared radiation include dark-colored objects, carbon-based materials, and certain metals such as iron and steel. These materials efficiently convert infrared radiation into heat energy.
Does earth radiating mostly infrared light cause the greenhouse effect?
Yes, the Earth's surface absorbs sunlight and then emits much of it as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping to space, which warms the planet overall.
How does does solar radiation and infrared radiation interact with earth?
Solar radiation from the sun interacts with the Earth's atmosphere, warming the surface. Some of this energy is radiated back into space as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this infrared radiation, causing a warming effect known as the greenhouse effect.
What effect does the absorption of infrared radiation have on the bonds in co2?
The absorption of infrared radiation by CO2 causes its bonds to vibrate, leading to an increase in bond energy. This increase in energy results in the molecules vibrating more vigorously, which can cause the surrounding molecules to warm up, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
How do ozone molecules trap heat?
Ozone molecules in the stratosphere trap heat by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation, effectively acting as a greenhouse gas. When sunlight reaches the Earth, it warms the surface, which then emits infrared radiation. Ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb some of this infrared radiation, leading to an increase in temperature in the surrounding area.
What is the source of radiation for both the earth's atmosphere and the greenhouse effect?
The Sun is the primary source of radiation for both the Earth's atmosphere and the greenhouse effect. Solar radiation enters the atmosphere, warms the Earth's surface, and is re-radiated as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some of this infrared radiation, leading to the greenhouse effect.
What kind of radiation causes molecules to vibrate?
Infrared radiation causes molecules to vibrate by interacting with their bonds and increasing their kinetic energy. This vibration results in an increase in temperature, which is why infrared radiation is often used in heat lamps and infrared saunas.
What type of radiation is trapped on the Earth's surface by the Greenhouse effect?
Infrared radiation is the type of radiation that gets trapped on Earth's surface by the greenhouse effect. This radiation is emitted by the Earth's surface in response to the incoming solar radiation and is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to the warming of the planet.
