Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
AS Level
The Greenhouse Effect –
Global warming
Learning Objectives
• Explain that infrared radiation by C=O,
O-H and C-H bonds in CO2, H2O and CH4,
and this contributes to global warming.
• Explain that the greenhouse effect of a
given gas is dependent both on its
atmospheric concentration and its
ability to absorb infrared radiation.
The greenhouse effect isn’t all
bad
• Without greenhouse gases our planet
would be covered in ice with an average
temperature 35oC less than present.
• The temperature of our planet has more
to do with the greenhouse effect than
with our proximity to the sun!
• The Earth receives most of its energy in the
form of electromagnetic radiation from the
Sun.
• Most from visible, some from UV and IR
regions.
• The incoming radiation is relatively unaffected
by the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Most IR radiation goes back into space,
however certain gases absorb this radiation,
some is re-emitted back towards the Earth.
• This traps the heat in the lower atmosphere.
So what’s the problem?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process,
keeping our planet at a temperature capable of
supporting life. Human activity is producing
more greenhouse gases, which threaten to upset
this fine natural balance, resulting in global
warming.
There is some
speculation that these
have added to global
warming, but there is no
concrete proof.
How do gases absorb radiation?
• What shape is a CO2 molecule?
• When it absorbs IR radiation it
vibrates.
• Eventually it emits this vibrating energy
as radiation.
• This can then be absorbed by another
greenhouse gas molecule or the Earth’s
surface.
• In H2O = O-H bonds absorb IR
• In CH4 = C-H bonds absorb IR
Global warming potential (GWP)