Difference between revisions of "Greenhouse effect"
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Wile, Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000. | Wile, Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000. | ||
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Revision as of 22:07, April 15, 2007
The "greenhouse effect" refers to the increased warmth of the earth's surface and atmosphere which results when gas molecules prevent the escape of infrared radiation from the earth.
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). [1]
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
Bibliography
Wile, Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000.