Earth & Climate
5 things
4 Greenhouse Effect Facts Every Geoscientist Needs
4 things about the greenhouse effect you must know…
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Lesson notes
Key points
- Sunlight arrives shortwave: The Sun emits mostly shortwave radiation that passes easily through Earth's atmosphere.
- Earth glows infrared: The warmed surface re-emits energy as longwave infrared radiation back toward space.
- Gases absorb infrared: Water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane absorb that infrared and re-radiate it downward.
- About 33 °C warmer: Without this natural effect, Earth's average surface would be roughly thirty-three degrees colder.
- Enhanced effect = warming: Adding more greenhouse gases strengthens the effect, trapping extra heat and warming the climate.
Takeaway: Greenhouse gases trap outgoing infrared, keeping Earth habitable.
Quick check: What type of radiation do greenhouse gases mainly absorb?
- Ultraviolet
- Longwave infrared
- Visible light
Greenhouse gases absorb the infrared emitted by Earth's warm surface.
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