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The main absorbers of infrared in the atmosphere are water vapor and clouds. Even if all other greenhouse gases were to disappear, we would still be left with over 98 percent of the current effect
These "greenhouse gas" molecules (principally [[water]], [[carbon dioxide]], and [[methane]])
These "greenhouse gas" molecules (principally [[water]], [[carbon dioxide]], and [[methane]])
absorb and re-emit longwave [[infrared rays]] emitted from the earth's surface into the atmosphere (see [[radiational cooling]]). Sunlight falling on the surface of a planet is primarily in the visible part of the spectrum. However, the reflection of light from the surface tends to produce light of longer wavelength called infrared (IR) radiation (also known as radiant heat; IR radiation is the heat that we sense being radiated from a hot surface like a hot piece of metal). <ref>[http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/venus/greenhouse.html A Runaway Greenhouse Effect?] </ref>
absorb and re-emit longwave [[infrared rays]] emitted from the earth's surface into the atmosphere (see [[radiational cooling]]). Sunlight falling on the surface of a planet is primarily in the visible part of the spectrum. However, the reflection of light from the surface tends to produce light of longer wavelength called infrared (IR) radiation (also known as radiant heat; IR radiation is the heat that we sense being radiated from a hot surface like a hot piece of metal). <ref>[http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/venus/greenhouse.html A Runaway Greenhouse Effect?] </ref>
[[Richard Lindzen]] wrote:
:The main absorbers of infrared in the atmosphere are water vapor and clouds. Even if all other greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide and methane) were to disappear, we would still be left with over 98 percent of the current greenhouse effect. [http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv15n2/reg15n2g.html]
This insulating effect has been compared to a blanket or to the glass walls and roof of a [[greenhouse]], but the process is not the same.
This insulating effect has been compared to a blanket or to the glass walls and roof of a [[greenhouse]], but the process is not the same.