0
The greenhouse effect happens because gases in the air absorb the sun's radiation - why does this matter?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
This matters because as the amount of greenhouse gases increases, it prevents the radiation moving out into space and keeping the planet at a steady temperature. Since the industrial revolution 200 years ago we have been gradually burning more and more coal and oil, and so releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Our demand for mean means that we cut down forests so that billions of cattle can graze. These cattle belch out methane, a more dangerous greenhouse gas. If the earth warms up by more than two degrees our coastlands will be under water, our fertile lands will be desert and millions of climate change refugees will be moving all over the globe in search of water and crop growing lands.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is caused by gases in the atmosphere that absorb radiation and transfer heat?
greenhouse effect
What is the greenhouse gas that absorbs the sun's incoming shortwave radiation?
No greenhouse gas absorbs the sun's incoming shortwave radiation. All the greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, CFCs etc) absorb the outgoing longwave infrared radiation from the warmed surface of the earth.
How do greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun?
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.
Why is helium a greenhouse gas?
because it can absorb and re-emit the suns energy
Is nitrogen a good or bad absorber of incoming solar radiation?
Yes, it absorbs solar radiation in the form of infrared rays rising from the surface of the earth. This heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)) and this is causing global warming.
What do greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and retain?
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and retain infrared radiation (heat) from the surface of the earth.
What is caused by gases in the atmosphere that absorb radiation and transfer heat?
greenhouse effect
What makes a greenhouse gas?
Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, which means they trap heat. Nitrogen and oxygen tend to be thermodynamically inert, meaning they let the heat escape. Water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide absorb long wave solar radiation, which helps keep the earth warm.
What would happen if gases absorbs visible light?
Earth's atmosphere does have greenhouse gases. These gases absorb some of the infrared radiation emitted by Earth's surface. If it did not, Earth would grow warmer and warmer as it absorbed more and more solar radiation. Greenhouse gas molecules absorb and emit infrared radiation.
What is the greenhouse gas that absorbs the sun's incoming shortwave radiation?
No greenhouse gas absorbs the sun's incoming shortwave radiation. All the greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, CFCs etc) absorb the outgoing longwave infrared radiation from the warmed surface of the earth.
What happens when carbon dioxide and water vapor methane and other gases absorb solar radiation?
These greenhouse gases heat up in the atmosphere. This heat moves in all directions, including back down to the earth's surface. Because the levels of greenhouse gas are rising, the earth is getting warmer. This is called global warming.
What are gasses in the atmosphere that absorb solar radiation called?
The ozone gas absorbs UV rays. It is present as ozone layer.These atmospheric gases, also referred to as greenhouse gases, absorb solar radiation and cause a rise in temperature.
What absorbs infra red?
black-color or black-hole. Greenhouse gases
How do greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun?
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.
Why is helium a greenhouse gas?
because it can absorb and re-emit the suns energy
Is helium a greenhouse gas?
because it can absorb and re-emit the suns energy
What are the gasses?
Greenhouse gasses are gases in the atmosphere that absorb, and that emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
