Greenhouse gases
I can explain the effect of greenhouse gases on the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases
I can explain the effect of greenhouse gases on the temperature of Earth’s atmosphere.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Carbon dioxide and methane are common greenhouse gasses.
- Greenhouse gases reduce the amount of lower frequency IR that can escape from Earth’s atmosphere.
- Greenhouse gases do not reduce the amount of higher frequency IR radiation entering the atmosphere from the Sun.
- If the rate energy is transferred into the atmosphere exceeds the rate it is transferred out, average temperatures rise.
- 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.
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).
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
CH₄
CO₂
H₂O