Greenhouse Effect

• Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere maintain temperatures on Earth high enough to support life. Water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane are all greenhouse gases. They absorb heat radiated from the Earth, subsequently releasing energy which keeps the Earth warm: this is known as the greenhouse effect
• 1. Short wavelength radiation from the Sun passes through the atmosphere
  2. The radiation hits the Earth's surface, where some of its energy is absorbed (warming the Earth)
  3. The lower energy radiation is reflected back (now long wavelength)
  4. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb this long wavelength radiation (warming the Earth)
  5. This causes an increase in temperature.
• Short wavelength radiation refers to:

  1. Ultraviolet (UV)
  2. Visible light
  3. Near infrared (IR)​

  Long wavelength radiation refers to longer wavelength infrared (IR).