Changes

{{merge|greenhouse gas}}

{{merge|greenhouse gas}}

The '''"greenhouse effect"''' refers to the retention of heat at the [[Earth]]'s surface and in the [[atmosphere]] which results when gas molecules reduce the escape of [[infrared radiation]] into [[outer space]]. The greenhouse effect was discovered in 1824 by [[Joseph Fourier]].   

The '''greenhouse effect''' refers to the retention of heat at the [[Earth]]'s surface and in the [[atmosphere]] which results when gas molecules reduce the escape of [[infrared radiation]] into [[outer space]]. The greenhouse effect was discovered in 1824 by [[Joseph Fourier]].   

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]]).  

absorb and re-emit longwave [[infrared rays]] emitted from the earth's surface into the atmosphere (see [[radiational cooling]]).