Greenhouse Effect

Question 1

Greenhouse gases

Answer 1

Water, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide

Question 2

Greenhouse gases (formulae)

Answer 2

H2O, CO2, CH4, N2O

Question 3

Where greenhouse gases are naturally found

Answer 3

H2O: in large bodies of water, soil, clouds, and through the water cycle. CO2: aerobic respiration of animals. CH4: anaerobic decomposition of plants. N2O: denitrification of vegetation in soil

Question 4

Thermal balance

Answer 4

170,000 TW of infrared waves enter the atmosphere; 50,000 reflect back and 120,000 enter Earth; 120,000 emitted back into space

Question 5

Thermal imbalance

Answer 5

concentration of greenhouse gases rise, 380 TW less thermal radiation escapes, the planet warms up until the heat is emitted back into space. Earth reaches new equilibrium, average temp exceeds natural value.

Question 6

How greenhouse gases are anthropogenically created

Answer 6

CO2: exhaustion of fossil fuels. CH4: fossil fuels, agriculture, landfill. N2O: agriculture, catalytic converters.