Chapter 14, Problem 1TYC

To determine

The fate of the solar radiation after it reaches Earth and also the ways by which greenhouse gases warm the lower atmosphere.

Answer to Problem 1TYC

Greenhouse gases are responsible for the cause of global warming by trapping the solar radiation and returning them back to the Earth’s surface.

Explanation of Solution

The Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation, as it reaches Earth. The sun emits solar radiation into the land, water, and ice. The 70 % of the solar radiation is absorbed by Earth and 30 % is reflected back into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming because they causes the re-emission of these infrared radiation in a way in which it travels back downwards and heats the lower atmosphere.

Four factors that may influence the climate of the Earth are: the sun, the atmosphere, orbit of Earth, and the oceans. The sun releases solar energy or radiation that is absorbed by Earth’s surface, water, ice, and land. Earth absorbs about 70 % of the solar energy and 30 % of the energy is reflected back toward the atmosphere. Thus, the surface of Earth can absorb solar radiation, and the temperature gets increased and cause the emission of infrared radiation, which has longer wavelengths in comparison of visible light.

Greenhouse gases cause global warming by the process of greenhouse effect. This effect occurs when the greenhouse gases such as ozone, nitrous oxide, methane, halocarbons (CFCs), and carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. These gases can absorb infrared radiation.

A natural process in which solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface, greenhouse gases cause the re-emission of the infrared radiation in a random way. However, some of the solar radiation is released into the atmosphere, the remaining radiation returns back to the surface of Earth and subsequently causes global warming.