Science

Greenhouse effect.

Definition

The natural process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere (CO₂, methane, water vapor, N₂O) trap outgoing infrared radiation, warming the planet's surface. Without it, Earth would be about 33°C colder. Human activities have enhanced this effect by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.

How it works · 5 phases

Step by step.

  1. Solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and warms Earth's surface
  2. Earth's surface emits infrared (heat) radiation back toward space
  3. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit some of this infrared radiation
  4. Re-emitted radiation warms the lower atmosphere and surface
  5. Increased greenhouse gas concentrations trap more heat, enhancing the effect
Examples

Real-world.

  • 1 CO₂ from burning fossil fuels increasing atmospheric heat trapping
  • 2 Methane from livestock and landfills acting as a potent greenhouse gas
  • 3 Venus having extreme greenhouse effect with surface temperatures over 450°C
Related terms

Tangled up with.

Global warming → Climate change → Fossil fuels → Atmosphere layers →
Studied in

2 units use this concept.

AP Environmental Science Global Change → Earth Science Climate and Climate Change →