Key Stage 4
Meaning
The greenhouse effect is the name given to the insulating effect of certain gases in the Earth's Atmosphere.
About the Greenhouse Effect
- The greenhouse effect is caused by gases in the atmosphere being more transparent to visible light from The Sun than infra-red emitted from the surface of the planet. The Visible Light from The Sun strikes the surface of the planet causing the surface to increase in temperature. The surface cools by emitting infra-red. If the amount of radiation emitted is reduced because the atmosphere traps more infra-red the atmosphere then the temperature of the surface of the planet will increase. This will happen until the amount of radiation emitted becomes the same as the amount of radiation absorbed and the planet reaches a constant temperature.
- Some gases have a greater greenhouse effect than others. Carbon Dioxide and Methane has a strong greenhouse effect so they are called greenhouse gases.
- The greenhouse effect is essential to keep the Earth warm enough for liquid water. If there were no greenhouse gases the Earth would cool and the ocean would freeze.
- If the percentage of greenhouse gases were to get too high the average temperature of the Earth would increase due to the greenhouse effect.