Four greenhouse gases?
Reveal answer
Water vapour, CO₂, nitrous oxide, methane (+ CFCs).
Key words: methane
5(d) HUMAN INFLUENCES ON THE ENVIRONMENT · RECALL
5.13 Greenhouse gases
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How does the greenhouse effect work?
Reveal answer
Sunlight in → infrared out → gases absorb + re-radiate.
Key words: infrared
Source of nitrous oxide?
Reveal answer
Fertilisers.
Key words: fertilisers
Why is the natural greenhouse effect needed?
Reveal answer
Keeps Earth warm enough for life.
Key words: warm
What is meant by the term greenhouse gas?
Reveal answer
A gas that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation in the atmosphere.
Key words: greenhouse gas
What is meant by the term greenhouse effect?
Reveal answer
Warming of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere caused by greenhouse gases.
Key words: greenhouse effect
What is meant by the term infrared radiation?
Reveal answer
Long-wavelength electromagnetic radiation emitted by warm objects.
Key words: infrared radiation
Greenhouse gases in the specification, Water vapour. Example natural source? Example human source?
Reveal answer
Example natural source: Evaporation and transpiration. Example human source: Indirectly increased as warming raises evaporation.
Key words: Water vapour
Greenhouse gases in the specification, Carbon dioxide. Example natural source? Example human source?
Reveal answer
Example natural source: Respiration, volcanoes. Example human source: Burning fossil fuels, deforestation.
Key words: Carbon dioxide
Greenhouse gases in the specification, Methane. Example natural source? Example human source?
Reveal answer
Example natural source: Wetlands, decomposition without oxygen. Example human source: Cattle, rice paddies, landfill.
Key words: Methane
Greenhouse gases in the specification, Nitrous oxide. Example natural source? Example human source?
Reveal answer
Example natural source: Soil bacteria. Example human source: Nitrogen fertilisers.
Key words: Nitrous oxide
Greenhouse gases in the specification, CFCs. Example natural source? Example human source?
Reveal answer
Example natural source: None (synthetic). Example human source: Old refrigerants and aerosols.
Key words: CFCs
True or false, and why? “The greenhouse effect is caused by the hole in the ozone layer.”
Reveal answer
False. These are different issues. The greenhouse effect involves infrared absorption by gases; ozone depletion affects ultraviolet.
True or false, and why? “The greenhouse effect is entirely harmful.”
Reveal answer
False. The natural effect keeps Earth warm enough for life; the problem is the enhanced effect.
True or false, and why? “Greenhouse gases block sunlight from reaching Earth.”
Reveal answer
False. Most sunlight passes through; the gases absorb infrared emitted by the warmed surface.