The Major Greenhouse Gases Flashcards
What is photon absorption?
It occurs at slightly higher or lower frequencies than that corresponding to vibrations
What is the max light absorption for CO2?
15 micrometers with a strong absorption at 4.26 micrometers
Why is there a flux in the concentration of CO2 throughout the year?
Because in the spring and summer there are more plants and vegetation that can absorb more of the CO2 in the atmosphere
- more possible photosynthesis occurs
What is the main anthropogenic source of CO2 gas?
The burning of fossil fuels
- burning wood via clear cutting
What are the temporary sinks for CO2?
Surface seawater and absorption by plants
Is CO2 decomposed chemically of photochemically?
Neither
What is CO2’s permanent sink?
Dissolution in deep seawater, or precipitation as a insoluble calcium carbonate
Relationship between the first 100m of the oceans surface water?
The CO2 in the first 100m takes a long time to mix with the deeper water, which eventually gets rid of the CO2
Why are oceans and lands not enough for absorbing the CO2?
Because we are emitting it at a very fast rate, the oceans and the land can’t keep up with it
Increased in vegetation growth rate + increased concentration of CO2 in the air= ?
CO2 as a fertilizer for vegetation
- increased concentration of carbon dioxide makes for a higher rate of photosynthesis, making plants grow bigger faster
How do water molecules absorb light?
Through bending and stretching vibrations + rotations
Why is it the most important GHG?
It produces the most warming
What is a positive feedback?
Operation of a phenomenon produces s result that further amplifies the result
What is a negative feedback?
A system whose output reduces the subsequent level of output
What does vapour form and what does it do?
Forms cloud and they block sun from entering the earth
