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Chapter 23: Problem 6

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. Explain the role of greenhouse gases in regulating climate. (D)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Greenhouse gases, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone, play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate by trapping heat within the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect. This effect helps maintain a stable and warm climate suitable for life on Earth. However, human activities have increased greenhouse gas concentrations, causing an enhanced greenhouse effect that contributes to global warming and climate change.

Step by step solution

01

1. Introduction to Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases present in Earth's atmosphere that absorb and emit radiant energy, causing the greenhouse effect. This effect helps regulate the Earth's temperature by trapping heat within the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3).
02

2. The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs when greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat radiated from the Earth's surface. This trapped heat warms the Earth's atmosphere and surface, creating a stable climate for life. Without greenhouse gases, the Earth's average temperature would be much colder and unsuitable for a majority of life on Earth.
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3. How Greenhouse Gases Regulate Climate

Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation from the Earth's surface. When incoming solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is absorbed by the Earth and converted to heat, while the rest is re-emitted as infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb some of this infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping into space. The absorbed radiation is then re-emitted in all directions, further warming the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere. This process maintains a relatively stable and warm climate for life on Earth.
04

4. Human Impact on Greenhouse Gas Concentrations

Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This increase has led to an enhanced greenhouse effect, causing the Earth's average temperature to rise. This global warming is the primary cause of current climate change.
05

5. Conclusion

Greenhouse gases play a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate by trapping heat within the atmosphere and maintaining a stable temperature. However, human activities have increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, resulting in an enhanced greenhouse effect and contributing to climate change. Understanding the role of greenhouse gases in regulating climate is essential to addressing the challenges of global warming and working towards a more sustainable future.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What are pollutants, and why do they pose a problem? What is the ozone hole, and why did it form? (E)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What events can cause catastrophic change in the Earth System? (B)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What areas of the Earth are expected to increase most in temperature? What are possible consequences of this temperature rise? (F)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. Describe the reservoirs that play a role in the carbon cycle and how carbon transfers among reservoirs. (C)

The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What evidence do researchers use to argue that global warming has been taking place during the past few centuries in response to human activities? What effects might global warming have on the Earth System? (E, F)
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