Describe the Greenhosue effect + DRAW PICTURE

Visible Sunlight passes through a planet's atmosphere - partially reflected by clouds

Some of this light is absorbed by the planet's surface.

• Visible radiation absorbed by ground at T ~ 270-300 K (0-80 F)

Planet re-emits this energy (heat) as infrared (IR) light.
- planet's temperature lower than Sun

IR light is "trapped" by the atmosphere. (bad at aborbing visible light, good at IR)

1. its return to space is slowed,
2. abored by CO₂ and H₂O CH₄ (methane) - thesea re moclues which rotate and vibrate easily - re-emit IR in a random direction
3. CO₂ in Earth's atmosphere can't create greenhouse effect alone - Presure broadening from other atmospehre makes more effective

This causes the overall surface temperature to be higher than if there were no atmosphere at all.

More evaoporated water = higher greenhouse effect. More CO2 puts more water (higher temp = more evaporation), but also more clouds, more reflectivity.