Environmental Science Test, Test 1

Question 1

The Greenhouse Effect - What causes it?

Answer 1

• The greenhouse effect results from the interaction between sunlight and the layer of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Normally, when the Sun’s radiation reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, 75% of energy and ultraviolet radiation (UV Rays) is reflected back into space by clouds and other atmospheric particles and 25% of the UV rays are trapped.
• However, there are certain gases in the atmosphere that trap heat emitted from the Earth’s surface, thereby insulating and warming the Earth.
• After the Greenhouse Effect, there is an increase in greenhouse gases causing 75% of UV rays to be trapped and an increase in the overall temperature of the earth.
• What causes the Greenhouse Effect?

Humans burning fossil fuels, and methods they use to to clean land for agricultural and urban settlements, has caused the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, causing heat to be trapped near the earth’s surface leading to the greenhouse effect.

Question 2

Greenhouse Diagram

Answer 2