Siteadmin, Check users, nsTeam1RO, nsTeam1RW, nsTeam1_talkRO, nsTeam1_talkRW, oversight, Administrators
30,650
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − +
Like a botanical greenhouse, it insulates the planet, but in a different way.
{{merge|greenhouse gas}}
{{merge|greenhouse gas}}
The '''greenhouse effect''' refers to the retention of heat by a planet's [[atmosphere]].
The '''greenhouse effect''' refers to the retention of heat by a planet's [[atmosphere]]. Like a botanical [[greenhouse]], it insulates the planet, but in a different way.
It happens because gas molecules absorb some of the heat radiating from the ground (see [[infrared radiation]]), so that it all doesn't escape into [[outer space]]. It was discovered in 1824 by [[Joseph Fourier]].
It happens because gas molecules absorb some of the heat radiating from the ground (see [[infrared radiation]]), so that it all doesn't escape into [[outer space]]. It was discovered in 1824 by [[Joseph Fourier]].