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The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect. What difference does the climate system make to the Earth?. The climate system moderate’s Earth’s temperature by trapping and storing energy from the Sun and distributing it around the world

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The Greenhouse Effect

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  1. The Greenhouse Effect

  2. What difference does the climate system make to the Earth? • The climate system moderate’s Earth’s temperature by trapping and storing energy from the Sun and distributing it around the world • Air temperature remains relatively constant day and night and across large regions

  3. What is the Greenhouse Effect? • The earth's "greenhouse effect" is what makes this planet suitable for life as we know it. • Atmosphere allows much of the high-energy radiation from the Sun to pass through • Earth’s surface absorbs this energy and reflects it back as low-energy infrared (IR) radiation • Gases in the atmosphere trap IR radiation and radiate it in all directions • About half gets sent back to Earth and warms it even more • The energy trapping process is called the Greenhouse Effect • The average temperature on Earth is about 15°C • It would be -18°C without a climate system • The Greenhouse Effect is a natural process that has been happening for millions of years

  4. Greenhouse Gases A Greenhouse gas is any gas in the atmosphere that absorbs IR radiation. Carbon Dioxide • makes up a tiny amount of gases but accounts for up to a quarter of the natural Greenhouse Effect • natural sources are volcanic eruptions, burning of organic matter, and cellular respiration

  5. Water Vapour • Accounts for 2/3’s of Earth’s natural greenhouse effect • Quantity of water vapour depends on the temperature of the atmosphere Higher temperatures lead to more water vapour More water vapour leads to higher temperatures

  6. Methane • Much less methane than carbon dioxide but methane can absorb much more energy (23 times more) • Natural sources are plant decomposition and animal digestion Ozone • Ozone in the troposphere acts as a greenhouse gas

  7. Nitrous Oxide • Similar to methane in that there is a very small amount but that small amount can trap large amounts of energy (300 times more effective than carbon dioxide) • Natural sources are reactions of bacteria in soil and water Video: The Greenhouse Effect - Canada

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