Greenhouse effect

• What is the greenhouse effect?


  • Sun heats the Earth
  • Heat is reflected back out to space at night
  • Some heat is trapped by a blanket of gases
  • This keeps the Earth warm enough to live on
• How does the greenhouse effect contribute to the Earth's temperature?


  It traps heat, keeping the Earth warm enough to live on
• What human activities increase the thickness of the greenhouse gas layer?


  Burning coal, oil, and gas
• What is the effect of increasing the thickness of the greenhouse gas layer?


  It keeps heat continually trapped
• How does human activity relate to the natural greenhouse effect?


  Humans enhance the natural greenhouse effect by burning fossil fuels
• What is the greenhouse effect?


  The greenhouse effect is a natural process that controls the balance of heat within the earth’s atmosphere.
• How do greenhouse gases affect the Earth's temperature?


  Greenhouse gases trap a certain percentage of the sun’s radiation reflected from the earth’s surface.
• What would the average surface temperature of the Earth be without the greenhouse effect?


  About -18 degrees Celsius.
• What is the primary cause of climate change?

  The increased levels of greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels.
• What happens to sunlight when it enters the Earth’s atmosphere?

  Sunlight passes through the blanket of greenhouse gases and is absorbed by the Earth’s surface.
• What occurs after the Earth's surface absorbs sunlight's energy?


  This energy is sent back into the atmosphere, where some passes back into space and much remains trapped by greenhouse gases.
• Why is the greenhouse effect essential for life on Earth?


  It keeps the Earth warm enough for humans to live.
• What could happen if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger?


  It could make the Earth warmer than usual, causing problems for humans, plants, and animals.
• What are the main greenhouse gases mentioned in the study material?


  Water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
• What is the process of the greenhouse effect?


  • Sunlight enters the atmosphere
  • It is absorbed by the Earth's surface
  • Energy is sent back into the atmosphere
  • Some energy escapes into space
  • Much energy is trapped by greenhouse gases
  • This causes the Earth to heat up
• What are the implications of increased greenhouse gases on climate change?


  • Warmer temperatures
  • Potential problems for humans, plants, and animals
  • Increased frequency of extreme weather events
  • Changes in ecosystems and biodiversity