One of the Carbon Dioxide properties, and the major concern for us, is its ability to trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise be radiated from the surface of the planet back into space.
How does it work?
Heat energy is energy with a longer wavelength than visible light. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) absorbs this type of energy whereas the other major atmospheric gases Nitrogen (N2) and Oxygen (O2) do not do this.
Low frequency energy is commonly known as heat. When Carbon Dioxide is exposed to heat it absorbs the energy. It does this in two ways. First, the molecule moves faster and secondly the bonds inside the molecule vibrate more. Eventually the molecule will release this extra energy, again in the form of heat.
The energy it releases is the same as the energy it absorbed, and so it not only absorbs but also emits long wavelength energy. This energy is radiated in all directions; upwards into space, and downwards back towards the Earth.
That is a problem because...?
For every extra molecule of CO2 in the atmosphere, additional heat is reflected down back towards the Earth. This means that some heat that would otherwise have been lost from the atmosphere is trapped. Given large enough quantities of CO2 in the atmosphere the amount of trapped heat will cause a rise in the surface temperature.
This change in surface temperature can have dramatic effects. Even a slight rise in temperature will result in increased evaporation from the ocean surfaces. Water is also a Greenhouse gas, and the Greenhouse effect of added CO2 in the atmosphere is compounded by the additional water vapor it causes.
It is important to keep this most significant of carbon dioxide properties in mind, as doing so will motivate us to reduce our carbon emissions. The most effective way to do this is to develop clean energy sources.
How does it work?
Heat energy is energy with a longer wavelength than visible light. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) absorbs this type of energy whereas the other major atmospheric gases Nitrogen (N2) and Oxygen (O2) do not do this.
Low frequency energy is commonly known as heat. When Carbon Dioxide is exposed to heat it absorbs the energy. It does this in two ways. First, the molecule moves faster and secondly the bonds inside the molecule vibrate more. Eventually the molecule will release this extra energy, again in the form of heat.
The energy it releases is the same as the energy it absorbed, and so it not only absorbs but also emits long wavelength energy. This energy is radiated in all directions; upwards into space, and downwards back towards the Earth.
That is a problem because...?
For every extra molecule of CO2 in the atmosphere, additional heat is reflected down back towards the Earth. This means that some heat that would otherwise have been lost from the atmosphere is trapped. Given large enough quantities of CO2 in the atmosphere the amount of trapped heat will cause a rise in the surface temperature.
This change in surface temperature can have dramatic effects. Even a slight rise in temperature will result in increased evaporation from the ocean surfaces. Water is also a Greenhouse gas, and the Greenhouse effect of added CO2 in the atmosphere is compounded by the additional water vapor it causes.
It is important to keep this most significant of carbon dioxide properties in mind, as doing so will motivate us to reduce our carbon emissions. The most effective way to do this is to develop clean energy sources.
About the Author:
Get more information on the solar greenhouse effect at Roger Vanderlely's website, www.green-planet-solar-energy.com. There you can also read about solar energy solutions for you such as cheap solar panels for your home.
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