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GCSE Chemistry · key term
The warming of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere because atmospheric gases absorb and emit some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.9.2.1 · Paper 2
The natural process in which atmospheric greenhouse gases reduce the rate at which energy escapes to space, maintaining Earth at a temperature high enough to support life.
Revise: Greenhouse GasesCertain gases in the atmosphere slow this outward transfer of energy, maintaining temperatures high enough to support life. This natural warming process is the greenhouse effect.
Specification 8.24 · Paper 2
The natural process in which atmospheric gases absorb thermal infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and release energy, keeping the surface and lower atmosphere warmer than they would otherwise be.
Revise: Greenhouse EffectThis repeated absorption and release of infrared energy means that the surface and lower atmosphere are warmer than they would be if there were no greenhouse gases. This process is the natural greenhouse effect.
Specification C6.3c · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
The natural warming of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere because certain atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation.
Revise: The Greenhouse EffectThe greenhouse effect does not stop energy escaping permanently. If it did, the Earth would continue heating without limit. Instead, temperature changes until the rate at which the Earth system sends energy to space balances the rate at which it absorbs energy from the Sun.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
Revise: The greenhouse effectA substance may transmit one range of wavelengths but absorb another. This selective interaction is central to the greenhouse effect.
Distinguish the natural greenhouse effect, which keeps Earth warm enough for life, from an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and its consequences.
Keep the natural greenhouse effect distinct from enhanced warming caused by increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations; the latter belongs to climate-change questions.
Distinguish the natural greenhouse effect from an enhanced greenhouse effect. Human activity did not create the natural effect.
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