Greenhouse Effect

Learning Outcome :
DESCRIBE THE ACTION OF THE COMMON
GREENHOUSE GASES, CARBON DIOXIDE
AND METHANE, THAT SERVE TO
MAINTAIN A STEADY TEMPERATURE IN
THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE.

DESCRIBE THE PREDICTED EFFECTS OF

HUMAN ACTIVITY ON THE TEMPERATURE
OF THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE.
 Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a theory on why the

Earth is showing a steady increase in
temperature.
A phenomenon created by the heat energy radiated
by the sun and greenhouse gases normally present
in the atmosphere.
Natural greenhouse effect :

In this process, the Sun radiates energy onto

Earth, which bounces 30% of the energy off (to
outerspace)- but absorbs the other 70% (earth).

While some of the thermal energy is radiated back

into space, much more gets trapped by the
greenhouse effect.

Infrared radiation trying to escape is instead

absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted into
the atmosphere.
Absorbed
radiation
In turn, the Earth radiates this energy with longer
wavelength like infrared back toward space.
As the reradiated heat passes through the
atmosphere, greenhouse gases absorb part of the
energy, while the remainder escapes into space.
Rate of absorption = Rate of emission.
Naturally occurring greenhouse gases trap some of
the infrared radiation collected back from the
Earths surface.
This in turn warms the surface of the earth about 30
degrees Celsius more than it would be without the
effect - making it vital to human survival.
Hence, a steady temperature is maintained.
Without the greenhouse effect we would be living in
a very chilly place the worlds average temperature
would be
-18C.

However,
Average temperature for Earth now is
15C. Why ??
 Human activities
Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation increase
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Methane levels are also increasing from
deforestation, landfills, fossil fuel burning, cattle,
termites and rice growing.
 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The increase in concentration of greenhouse gases by
human activities enhance the earths natural
greenhouse effect and cause additional global
warming.
Increasing of the greenhouse gases concentration,
lead to more heat energy will be trapped thus
making the worlds temperature increases as well.
Greenhouse gases
 Greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
- Fossil fuel burning and large scale deforestation
mainly causes the increase in CO2.
- The concentration of CO2 increases from 280ppmv
to 365ppmv after industrial revolution.
Methane
- Its 20 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than
CO2 on the weight to weight basis.
- Its concentration has increased due to fossil fuel
mining, agriculture practices, anaerobic
decomposition of organic compounds in places like
swamps, marshes and landfills.
Nitrous Oxide
-Its 200 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas
than CO2.
-The main sources created by human activity are from
agriculture, biomass burning and number of
industrial processes.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or Halocarbons
or Halons
- Widely used propellants, refrigerants and foaming
agents.
- The life spans of the CFCs are about 50-200 years.
Water vapour
- When there is heat energy, water will evaporate and
turn into water vapour.
 Effects of Greenhouse Effect
A rise in average temperature which may lengthen
summer.
A climate changes may occur and sea level
changes.
Natural ecosystems would change at such high rates
that species of flora and fauna would be unable to
migrate quickly enough to ensure their survival with
increased energy demands likely to be satisfied
largely by coal and increased deforestation,
immediate prospects are for a continued increased
in CO2 level.
 Solutions
Reforestation plant more trees

Minimise usage of fossil fuels

Encourage alternative energy sources like wind,

solar

Limit population growth

 Questions
Methane is released by rotting material and is considered as
a greenhouse gas.
(i) State whether the methane is produced under aerobic
or anaerobic conditions. (1 mark)
(ii) Describe how natural greenhouse gases act to
maintain a steady temperature in the troposphere.(3
troposphere. marks)
(iii) Besides methane, name two other gases that
contribute to greenhouse effect. (2 marks)
Methane is like carbon dioxide, a
greenhouse gas.
A) Explain briefly what the greenhouse effect is.
B) Name one other greenhouse gas.
C) Draw a diagram to show how the greenhouse effect
works.
D) What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
 Answers

Anaerobic

-can absorb/trap heat

-the heat absorbed as the re-radiated from earth surface
-rate of absorption = rate of emission

Nitrous oxide/ozone/water vapour/ carbon dioxide

(any two)