Greenhouse Effect

Aim: How is the earth's atmosphere similar to a greenhouse?

What is the Greenhouse Effect?• If it were not for greenhouse gases trapping heat in the

atmosphere, the Earth would be a very cold place. • Greenhouse gases keep the Earth warm through a

process called the greenhouse effect.

What is the Greenhouse Effect

The earth's atmosphere traps solar Radiation aka heat, with

gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and Methane. These gases allow incoming sunlight to

pass through but absorb heat reflected by the Earth’s surface.

Examples of the Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect on Earth• Rays from the sun in the form of visible light is transmitted

through the atmosphere and absorbed at the Earth’s surface.

• The Earth then re-radiates or reflects energy in the form of Heat.

• Greenhouse gases in our atmosphere absorb this infrared radiation and prevent it from escaping our atmosphere

Types of Greenhouse Gases

• Greenhouse gases:– carbon dioxide (CO2)

– methane (CH4)

– water vapor (H20)(g)– CFC’s– Ozone (O3)

• The absorption of this energy adds more energy to the atmosphere, which leads to a temperature increase.

• Without this property of the atmosphere, we would not be able to live on Earth…Why?

• This is commonly referred to as The Greenhouse Effect

Global Warming• Scientists believe that

the possible cause of global warming may be The Greenhouse Effect

• Global Warming refers to an increase in atmospheric CO2 that can increase Earth’s average temperature.

• Carbon dioxide concentrations are increased by: 1. Burning fossil fuels (oil, coal, gasoline)2. Population Growth (More people=More Resources Used)3. Destruction of rain forests and ocean plankton (which remove CO2 from the air)

Global Warming• Average

temperatures have risen more than 2 °F since 1970 and are projected to continue to rise in the future due to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted

Air Pollution• Any visible or

invisible particle or gas found in the air that is not part of the original, normal composition.

5 Major Pollutants:

1.) Carbon Monoxide2.) Sulfur Dioxide

3.) Nitrogen Dioxide4.) Particulate Matter

5.) Ground Level Ozone

• These pollutants can cause acid rain, thinning of the Ozone Layer, photochemical smog, skin cancer, and respiratory illnesses.

Energy Resources

• Some resources are not renewable or renew very slowly

• How long resources will last is hard to predict

Renewable vs. Non-Renewable

• Nonrenewable energy source: used much faster than it can be replaced

• Renewable energy source: can be replaced as it is used or cannot be used up.

Types of Renewable Resources

Types of Non-Renewable Resources