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Chapter 18: Problem 33

Explain why increasing concentrations of \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) in the atmosphere affect the quantity of energy leaving Earth but do not affect the quantity of energy entering from the Sun.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In conclusion, increasing concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere do not affect the quantity of energy entering Earth from the Sun because CO2 doesn't interact with shortwave solar radiation. However, it does affect the quantity of energy leaving Earth, as increased CO2 concentrations lead to a more significant absorption and re-emission of longwave infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface. This results in a stronger greenhouse effect, leading to an overall increase in Earth's temperature.

Step by step solution

01

Understand energy entering from the Sun

The energy entering from the Sun is primarily in the form of shortwave solar radiation. This radiation, mainly composed of visible light and ultraviolet light, can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere with little interference from greenhouse gases, as they generally don't absorb or interact with shortwave radiation.
02

Understand energy leaving Earth

The energy leaving Earth, on the other hand, is primarily in the form of longwave infrared radiation. This radiation, which is emitted by the Earth's surface as it radiates heat, is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gases such as CO2. The more CO2 in the atmosphere, the more infrared radiation from Earth is absorbed, preventing it from escaping directly into space, thus increasing the greenhouse effect, which leads to a more significant warming of the Earth's surface.
03

Effect of increasing CO2 concentrations on energy entering from the Sun

As previously mentioned, CO2 does not significantly absorb or interact with shortwave solar radiation (mostly in the visible and ultraviolet range). Therefore, increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere will not affect the quantity of energy entering Earth from the Sun.
04

Effect of increasing CO2 concentrations on energy leaving Earth

With increasing concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere, the absorption of longwave infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface increases. This causes a reduction in the amount of energy directly escaping into space, as more energy is trapped within the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect. As a result, the Earth's surface temperature increases, and the overall energy balance of the Earth is affected. In conclusion:
05

Summary

Increasing concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere do not affect the quantity of energy entering Earth from the Sun because CO2 doesn't interact with shortwave solar radiation. However, it does affect the quantity of energy leaving Earth, as increased CO2 concentrations lead to a more significant absorption and re-emission of longwave infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface. This results in a stronger greenhouse effect, leading to an overall increase in Earth's temperature.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

(a) Write a chemical equation that describes the attack of acid rain on limestone, \(\mathrm{CaCO}_{3}\). (b) If a limestone sculpture were treated to form a surface layer of calcium sulfate, would this help to slow down the effects of acid rain? Explain.

Distinguish among salt water, freshwater, and groundwater. \([\) Section 18.3\(]\)

For each of the following gases, make a list of known or possible naturally occurring sources: (a) \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\), (b) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2},(\mathrm{c}) \mathrm{NO}\)

The organic anion is found in most detergents. Assume that the anion undergoes aerobic decomposition in the following manner: $$ \begin{array}{r} 2 \mathrm{C}_{18} \mathrm{H}_{29} \mathrm{SO}_{3}^{-}(a q)+51 \mathrm{O}_{2}(a q) \longrightarrow \\ 36 \mathrm{CO}_{2}(a q)+28 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l)+2 \mathrm{H}^{+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{SO}_{4}^{2-}(a q) \end{array} $$ What is the total mass of \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) required to biodegrade \(10.0 \mathrm{~g}\) of this substance?

A reaction that contributes to the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere is the direct reaction of oxygen atoms with ozone: \(\mathrm{O}(g)+\mathrm{O}_{3}(g) \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\) At \(298 \mathrm{~K}\) the rate constant for this reaction is \(4.8 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{M}^{-1} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}\). (a) Based on the units of the rate constant, write the likely rate law for this reaction. (b) Would you expect this reaction to occur via a single elementary process? Explain why or why not. (c) From the magnitude of the rate constant, would you expect the activation energy of this reaction to be large or small? Explain. (d) Use \(\Delta H_{f}^{\circ}\) values from Appendix \(\mathrm{C}\) to estimate the enthalpy change for this reaction. Would this reaction raise or lower the temperature of the stratosphere?
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