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Line 1: + + − The '''greenhouse effect''' refers to the retention of heat by a planet's [[atmosphere]]. Although "greenhouse" is a handy analogy to a botanical [[greenhouse]], which insulates an indoor space by regulating convection, the atmosphere retains heat 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]]. − − The effect has been compared to that of the glass roof and walls of a [[greenhouse]], although the process is different. A gardener's greenhouse simply traps warm air inside the building. Line 16:
Line 15: − :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]+ − + Line 24:
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{{merge|greenhouse gas}}
{{merge|greenhouse gas}}
[[Image:158224main earth.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A diagram illustrating the so-called "greenhouse effect."]]
The '''greenhouse effect''' refers to the retention of heat by a planet's [[atmosphere]]. Although "greenhouse" is a handy analogy to a botanical [[greenhouse]], which insulates an indoor space by regulating convection, the atmosphere retains heat 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]]. The effect has been compared to that of the glass roof and walls of a [[greenhouse]], although the process is different. A gardener's greenhouse simply traps warm air inside the building.
==Greenhouse gas==
{{main|greenhouse gas}}
These [[greenhouse gas]] molecules (principally [[water vapor]], [[carbon dioxide]], and [[methane]])
These [[greenhouse gas]] molecules (principally [[water vapor]], [[carbon dioxide]], and [[methane]])
[[Richard Lindzen]] wrote (in 1992):
[[Richard Lindzen]] wrote (in 1992):
{{cquote|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.<ref>[http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv15n2/reg15n2g.html Richard Lindzen quote]</ref>}}
However, this figure has been disputed. The textbook Chemistry of Atmospheres puts the contribution of water vapor and clouds at less than 88 percent of the greenhouse effect, while carbon dioxide is at least 12 percent.[http://www.radix.net/~bobg/climate/halpern.trap.html]
However, this figure has been disputed. The textbook Chemistry of Atmospheres puts the contribution of water vapor and clouds at less than 88 percent of the greenhouse effect, while carbon dioxide is at least 12 percent.<ref>[http://www.radix.net/~bobg/climate/halpern.trap.html Chemistry of Atmospheres]</ref>
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.
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Runaway greenhouse effect]]
*[[Runaway greenhouse effect]]
*[[Greenhouse gas]]
==References==
==References==