Global Warming

What is it exactly?

Global warming, also known as the Greenhouse Effect, is the theory that heat trapped in the Earth's atmosphere by 'greenhouse' gases will cause the ambient temperature of the Earth to rise.

How does that work then?

It works the same way greenhouses work, hence the name.

Solar radiation passes straight through our atmosphere because it is very hot and has a short wavelength.

The radiation heats up the ground which gets warm and emits radiation of it's own (not the same as radioactive radiation!) only the radiation that the ground emits is in the Infra Red spectrum because the ground doesn't get very hot.

Infra Red has a long wavelength compared to the hotter UV and it can't pass through greenhouse gases, they block and stop it escaping to space. SO the heat is trapped in the atmosphere and the Earth starts to warm up.

What are the 'Greenhouse' gases?

The most famous is of course Carbon Dioxide (Co2). Others include:

  • Methane
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Tetrafluoromethane
  • Hexafluoroethane
  • Sulfur hexafluoride
  • Trifluoromethane
  • 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane
  • 1,1-Difluoroethane

How are they produced?

Co2 is produced in larger amounts than the rest of the Greenhouse gases becasue of all the carbon that is stored in Fossil fuels like Coal and Oil which are the fossilised remains of living things.

Burning them, in fires or as fuel in vehicles or to create Electricity releases the Co2 to the atmosphere.

Pound for pound, Methane is the best at trapping heat but it is produced in relatively small amounts compared to Co2 emissions.

 

You have been warned.

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