First, let’s understand Earth’s “normal” temperature: When Earth absorbs sunlight, which is mostly visible light, it heats up. ... In other words, energy that gets to Earth has an even harder time leaving it, causing Earth’s average temperature to increase – producing global climate change.
Do global warming gases absorb visible light?
These molecules are called “greenhouse gases” because they have a very special property. They do not absorb the visible light from the sun , but they do absorb the infrared light radiated by the Earth’s surface. ... This process is known as the Greenhouse Effect.
What factors contribute to global warming?
Global warming is an aspect of climate change, referring to the long-term rise of the planet’s temperatures. It is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere , mainly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, and farming.
How does the absorption of IR light by a greenhouse gas lead to an increase in atmospheric temperature?
Water vapor and certain gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation, causing what is called the Greenhouse Effect. Those items, in turn, emit infrared radiation that is primarily absorbed by gases and water vapor in the atmosphere, increasing its temperature. ...
How is the Greenhouse Effect an absorption line spectrum?
As the concentration of greenhouse gases are increased , more of Earth’s electromagnetic infrared radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere, making the atmosphere warmer. A warmer atmosphere radiates more effectively, resulting in an increased re-radiation of infrared photons from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface.
What are the 5 causes of global warming?
- Greenhouse Gases Are the Main Reasons for Global Warming. ...
- Cause #1: Variations in the Sun’s Intensity. ...
- Cause #2: Industrial Activity. ...
- Cause #3: Agricultural Activity. ...
- Cause #4: Deforestation. ...
- Cause #5: Earth’s Own Feedback Loop.
What are the 10 causes of climate change?
- Power Plants. Forty percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions stem from electricity production. ...
- Transportation. ...
- Farming. ...
- Deforestation. ...
- Fertilizers. ...
- Oil Drilling. ...
- Natural Gas Drilling. ...
- Permafrost.
What are the two greenhouse gases most responsible for absorbing infrared light?
Water and carbon dioxide are gases that absorb and emit infrared light. These gases are transparent to visible light and absorb and give off infrared light.
What is the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide and global temperature?
When the carbon dioxide concentration goes up, temperature goes up . When the carbon dioxide concentration goes down, temperature goes down.
What are the two most important greenhouse gasses?
Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour are the most important greenhouse gases. (To a lesser extent, surface-level ozone, nitrous oxides, and fluorinated gases also trap infrared radiation.)
What is the most significant greenhouse gas in quantitative terms?
In the effort to understand and address global climate change, most analysis has focused on rapidly rising emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and options for reducing them. Indeed, carbon dioxide, a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, is the principal greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
What is the relationship between the equilibrium temperature and greenhouse gas concentrations?
The ultimate increase in global average temperature corresponding to a given increase in greenhouse gas concentration is called the equilibrium global average temperature. Figure 3.4 shows possible impacts on the global equilibrium temperature of changes in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.
What are the four main greenhouse gases?
- Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
- Methane (CH 4 )
- Nitrous oxide (N 2 O)
- Industrial gases: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) Sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) Nitrogen trifluoride (NF 3 )
What is the number 1 cause of global warming?
The evidence is clear: the main cause of climate change is burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal . When burnt, fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the air, causing the planet to heat up.
What are the 3 main causes of global warming?
The gases primarily responsible for global warming include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) . Humans produce them by burning fossil fuels and engaging in various agricultural and industrial activities.
What is the biggest contributor to global warming?
Electricity and Heat Production (25% of 2010 global greenhouse gas emissions): The burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat is the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions.
