Difference between revisions of "Greenhouse effect"
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(not "heat" per se, but infrared radiation - the same kind of rays McDonald's uses to keep the fries warm) |
(Complete rewrite from a physics major - okay, I dropped out, but I took some courses . . .) |
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| − | The process | + | The term ''"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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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]]). | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Bibliography== | ||
| + | Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000 | ||
[[Category:Science]] | [[Category:Science]] | ||
[[Category:Ecology]] | [[Category:Ecology]] | ||
Revision as of 23:12, March 20, 2007
The term "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.
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.
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).
References
Bibliography
Wile, Dr. Jay L. Exploring Creation With Physical Science. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000