Greenhouse Gases/ Effects

Question 1

Give a brief description of the greenhouse effect?

Answer 1

The greenhouse effect occurs naturally and is responsible for the warmth that is felt on earth.

Question 2

What does the greenhouse gases do?

Answer 2

They help retain heat in the atmosphere. These gases also act as a blanket and without them, the temperature would be (-18 degrees C) and everything would be frozen.

Question 3

Name some of the greenhouse gases and provide a brief description:(2)

Answer 3

> carbon dioxide- fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum
methane gas- animals(eg. cows, decaying plant matter, rice fields and fossil fuels)

Question 4

Give two reasons why greenhouse gases operate?

Answer 4

1)The sun’s energy enters the atmosphere as incoming short wave radiation, including light rays
2) The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere allows the incoming short wave radiation in, which then heats up the Earth’s surface

Question 5

Give two more reasons why greenhouse gases operate?

Answer 5

1)The Earth’s surface emits energy mainly as outgoing long wave radiation including heat.
2) The greenhouse gases trap some of this outgoing heat energy, This keeps the atmosphere warm and so this creates the GREENHOUSE EFFECT.

Question 6

What is a concern of to the world’s population?

Answer 6

enhanced greenhouse effect

Question 7

What means that more heat energy is trapped thus leading to an increase in global temperatures, leading to global warming and climate change.

Answer 7

increase of greenhouse gases especially carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Question 8

What is global warming?

Answer 8

Global warming is the long-term heating of the Earth’s surface due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning which increases greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 9

What is climate change?

Answer 9

Climate change refers to the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural such as through variations in the solar cycle. Main driver of climate change is due to burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Question 10

Name some of the greenhouse gases and provide a brief description:(2 more)

Answer 10

> nitrogen oxide- fossil fuels, fertilizers
chlorofluorocarbons(CFC’S)- aerosol sprays, refrigerants