Greenhouse effect. Mechanism, model and gases

How the greenhouse effect works. Mechanism of the greenhouse effect

Basic mechanism of the greenhouse effect is as follows. Solar radiation reaching the Earth consists mainly of short-wave radiation, such as visible light and ultraviolet (UV) rays. Some of this radiation is reflected back into space by the Earth’s surface and clouds, while some is absorbed by the atmosphere, the oceans and the Earth’s surface.

The Earth’s surface, once heated by solar radiation, emits long-wave radiation, also known as infrared (IR) radiation. Some gases present in the atmosphere have the capacity to absorb and re-emit part of this infrared radiation.

Main greenhouse gases

The main greenhouse gases are water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) or nitrous oxide (N₂O) have the ability to absorb and re-emit part of this infrared radiation. These gases are known as greenhouse gases because of their ability to trap and retain heat in the atmosphere. When infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases, the molecules become energized and subsequently emit radiation back in all directions, including towards the earth’s surface. This results in a net increase in thermal energy on Earth, leading to an increase in atmospheric and surface temperature.