New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

Greenhouse gases

I can explain the effect of greenhouse gases on the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere.

New
New
Year 11
AQA
Foundation

Greenhouse gases

I can explain the effect of greenhouse gases on the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Carbon dioxide and methane are common greenhouse gasses.
  2. Greenhouse gases reduce the amount of lower frequency IR that can escape from Earth’s atmosphere.
  3. Greenhouse gases do not reduce the amount of higher frequency IR radiation entering the atmosphere from the Sun.
  4. If the rate energy is transferred into the atmosphere exceeds the rate it is transferred out, average temperatures rise.
  5. An increasing average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere is called global warming.

Common misconception

All greenhouse gases are artificial and harmful. Increasing any greenhouse gas is bad.

Explain the natural occurrence and necessity of greenhouse gases. Discuss the balance needed in greenhouse gas concentrations.

Keywords

  • Greenhouse gas - Greenhouse gases are gases that are responsible for the greenhouse effect by absorbing lower frequency IR radiation and trapping ‘heat’ in the atmosphere.

  • Infrared radiation - Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that we can feel as heat.

  • Frequency - Frequency is the number of waves that pass a point per second.

  • Global warming - Global warming is the increase in Earth's average temperature, likely to be caused by increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

It would be good to mention that although water vapour is a greenhouse gas, it is also removed from the atmosphere as water condenses at the temperatures and pressures found on Earth, rather than carbon dioxide and methane which are more likely to remain in the gaseous state.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following statements about complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels is correct?
Complete combustion occurs when a fuel burns in a limited supply of oxygen.
Correct answer: Complete combustion occurs when a fuel burns in a plentiful supply of oxygen.
Correct answer: The products are carbon dioxide and water.
The products are carbon monoxide and water.
Q2.
Why is carbon dioxide considered an atmospheric pollutant?
it is an odourless, colourless toxic gas
it causes global dimming
Correct answer: it contributes to global warming
Q3.
Match the greenhouse gas to the correct molecular formula.
Correct Answer:methane,CH₄

CH₄

Correct Answer:carbon dioxide,CO₂

CO₂

Correct Answer:water vapour,H₂O

H₂O

Q4.
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
Correct answer: carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
methane + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
Q5.
What impact may deforestation have on the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
Correct answer: the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase
the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will remain the same
the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease
Q6.
What key term is used to describe the number of waves that pass a point per second?
Correct Answer: frequency

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are greenhouse gases?
Correct answer: methane
Correct answer: carbon dioxide
Correct answer: water vapour
nitrogen
sulfur dioxide
Q2.
Which of the following human activities have led to increased levels of greenhouse gases?
Correct answer: combustion of fossil fuels
photosynthesis
Correct answer: deforestation
Correct answer: cattle farming
Correct answer: landfill sites
Q3.
How does the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface differ from the infrared radiation emitted from the Sun?
Correct answer: it is a longer wavelength
it is shorter wavelength
it is a higher frequency
Correct answer: it is a lower frequency
Q4.
What do greenhouse gases do?
Correct answer: absorb lower frequency IR radiation and radiate in all directions
absorb higher frequency IR radiation and radiate in all directions
absorb lower frequency UV radiation and radiate in all directions
absorb higher frequency UV radiation and radiate in all directions
Q5.
Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect are true?
Correct answer: it is a natural phenomenom
it is essential for life on Earth
Correct answer: it produces greenhouse gases
Correct answer: it helps maintain a stable temperature on Earth
Q6.
What key term is used to describe an increase in Earth's average temperature?
Correct Answer: global warming