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GCSE Combined Science · key term
Electromagnetic radiation emitted by warm objects. The Earth's surface emits infrared radiation with longer wavelengths than the incoming solar radiation.
Used by AQA
Specification 5.9.2.1, 6.6.2.2 · Paper 4, Paper 6
Revise: Greenhouse EffectWater vapour is water in its gaseous state. These gases share an important property: they absorb some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface.
Electromagnetic radiation that transfers energy and is emitted by warm objects; it is invisible to the human eye.
State which radiation is absorbed by which material: the Earth's surface absorbs incoming short-wavelength radiation; greenhouse gases absorb outgoing long-wavelength infrared radiation.
Use ‘absorb and re-emit’, not ‘reflect’, to describe how greenhouse gases interact with infrared radiation.
Do not confuse the greenhouse effect with the ozone layer: the greenhouse effect reduces energy loss through infrared radiation.
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