Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is caused by the Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere traps in solar radiation from the sun within the atmosphere, warming up the Earth’s surface temperature. However, human activities have put more gasses into the air, such as methane, carbon dioxide and water vapour. This traps more heat into the atmosphere, drastically warming up the Earth.
Methane - is much more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. It is able to absorb the sun’s heat, warming up the atmosphere. It does not stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, however, it is more devastating than carbon dioxide in its ability of absorbing heat.
Carbon Dioxide - is naturally present in the atmosphere through the carbon cycle. Human activities have added high, unnatural amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat reflected back by the Earth. This absorbed heat is released, further warming up the Earth.
Water Vapour - works to trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise. As surface temperature rises, water vapour levels rise as well, due to water evaporating at a faster rate. Adding heat to the atmosphere through other gases such as carbon dioxide in turn adds to the amount of water vapour in the air. Water vapour is more effective than carbon dioxide, though it does not resonate as long in the atmosphere.
CFC's (Chlorofluorocarbons) - These are man-made compounds composed of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms. Mainly used in aerosols, CFC's rise and resonate in the stratosphere. Although the amount of CFC's in the atmosphere is quite low, they still play a role in the greenhouse effect. Based on how efficiently each molecule can trap heat in within the atmosphere, CFC's have stronger heat trapping qualities than carbon.
Nitrous Oxide - is found naturally in the atmosphere due to Earth's nitrogen cycle. Human activities have added to the emissions of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide molecules last in the atmosphere for about 114 years before being removed or destroyed. Nitrous oxide has global warming properties almost 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
Methane - is much more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming. It is able to absorb the sun’s heat, warming up the atmosphere. It does not stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, however, it is more devastating than carbon dioxide in its ability of absorbing heat.
Carbon Dioxide - is naturally present in the atmosphere through the carbon cycle. Human activities have added high, unnatural amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat reflected back by the Earth. This absorbed heat is released, further warming up the Earth.
Water Vapour - works to trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise. As surface temperature rises, water vapour levels rise as well, due to water evaporating at a faster rate. Adding heat to the atmosphere through other gases such as carbon dioxide in turn adds to the amount of water vapour in the air. Water vapour is more effective than carbon dioxide, though it does not resonate as long in the atmosphere.
CFC's (Chlorofluorocarbons) - These are man-made compounds composed of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms. Mainly used in aerosols, CFC's rise and resonate in the stratosphere. Although the amount of CFC's in the atmosphere is quite low, they still play a role in the greenhouse effect. Based on how efficiently each molecule can trap heat in within the atmosphere, CFC's have stronger heat trapping qualities than carbon.
Nitrous Oxide - is found naturally in the atmosphere due to Earth's nitrogen cycle. Human activities have added to the emissions of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide molecules last in the atmosphere for about 114 years before being removed or destroyed. Nitrous oxide has global warming properties almost 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.