Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases or simply GHG. They trap heat and make the planet warmer. Human activities are responsible for almost all of the increase in GHGs in the atmosphere over the last 150 years. The largest source of GHG emissions from human activities come from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.
A greenhouse gas (abbrev. GHG) is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Without greenhouse gases, the average temperature of Earth's surface would be about −18 °C ,, rather than the present average of 15 °C .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas that absorbs infrared radiation (IR) and radiates heat in all directions. Greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere absorb IR from the sun and release it. Some of the heat released reaches the earth, along with heat from the sun that has penetrated the atmosphere. Both the solar heat and the radiated heat are absorbed by the earth and released; some is reabsorbed by greenhouse gases to perpetuate the cycle. The more of these gases that exists, the more heat is prevented from escaping into space and, consequently, the more the earth heats. This increase in heat is called the greenhouse effect. Common examples of greenhouse gases, listed in order of abundance, include: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and any fluorocarbons. Although water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas, it is a relatively ineffective one. Some degree of greenhouse gases in our environment is only natural -- without the greenhouse effect our ecosystem would not be possible.
a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons are examples of greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases are a group of compounds that are able to trap heat (longwave radiation) in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth's surface warmer than it would be if they were not present.1 These gases are the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect.2 Increases in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere enhances the greenhouse effect which is creating global warming and consequently climate change.
Greenhouse gases allow sunlight (shortwave radiation) to pass through the atmosphere freely, where it is then partially absorbed by the surface of the Earth.3 But some of this energy bounces back out towards space as heat. Of the heat emitted back to space, some is intercepted and absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is because these compounds are made of three or more atoms. This molecular structure allows them to absorb some of the escaping heat and then re-emit it towards the Earth which increases global temperatures.
The ability of these gases to trap heat is what causes the greenhouse effect. So the more greenhouse gases you have in the atmosphere, the more heat stays on Earth. This process, which is very similar to the way a greenhouse works, is why the gases that can produce this effect are collectively known as greenhouse gases.
There are 2 ways that a greenhouse gas (often abbreviated GHG) can enter our atmosphere. One of them is through human activities. The main human sources of GHG emissions are: fossil fuel use, deforestation, intensive livestock farming, use of synthetic fertilizers and industrial processes. The other is through natural processes like animal and plant respiration.
http://whatsyourimpact.org/greenhouse-gases
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Causes & Sources
By Marc Lallanilla
......
Sources of greenhouse gases
Some greenhouse gases, like methane, are produced through agricultural practices including livestock manure management. Others, like CO2, largely result from natural processes like respiration and from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The production of electricity is the source of 70 percent of the United States' sulfur dioxide emissions, 13 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions, and 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, according to the EPA.
The second cause of CO2 release is deforestation, according to research published by Duke University. When trees are killed to produce goods or heat, they release the carbon that is normally stored for photosynthesis. This process releases nearly a billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere per year, according to the 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment.
It's worth noting that forestry and other land-use practices offset some of these greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA. "Replanting helps to reduce the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as growing trees sequester carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is converted and stored in the vegetation and soils of the forest. However, forests cannot sequester all of the carbon dioxide we are emitting to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and a reduction in fossil fuel emissions is still necessary to avoid build up in the atmosphere," said Daley.
Worldwide, the output of greenhouse gases is a source of grave concern: From the time the Industrial Revolution began to the year 2009, atmospheric CO2 levels have increased almost 38 percent and methane levels have increased a whopping 148 percent, according to NASA, and most of that increase has been in the past 50 years. Because of global warming, 2014 was the warmest year on record and 10 of the hottest years have all come after 1998.
"The warming we observe affects atmospheric circulation, which impacts rainfall patterns globally. This will lead to big environmental changes, and challenges, for people all across the globe," Josef Werne, an associate professor in the department of geology and planetary science at the University of Pittsburgh, told Live Science.
If these trends continue, scientists, government officials and a growing number of citizens fear that the worst effects of global warming — extreme weather, rising sea levels, plant and animal extinctions, ocean acidification, major shifts in climate and unprecedented social upheaval — will be inevitable. In answer to the problems caused by global warming by greenhouse gasses, the government created a climate action plan in 2013.".....
Please, refer to the very interesting article related to the thread by pressing on the attached website link and read it in full....
https://www.livescience.com/37821-greenhouse-gases.html
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Overview
Greenhouse gases trap heat and make the planet warmer. Human activities are responsible for almost all of the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the last 150 years.1 The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.
EPA tracks total U.S. emissions by publishing the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. This annual report estimates the total national greenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with human activities across the United States.
The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are:".....
Please, go to the attached website and read the rest of the article and find out more information about the subject....
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases or simply GHG. They trap heat and make the planet warmer. Human activities are responsible for almost all of the increase in GHGs in the atmosphere over the last 150 years. The largest source of GHG emissions from human activities come from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.
Thanks for sharing the question. In addition to the interesting responses of the colleagues, according to Cambridge dictionary, greenhouse gas is a gas that causes the greenhouse effect, especially carbon dioxide (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/greenhouse-gas).
Regards
As was said before the greenhouse gas or GHG is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The gradual increase in the overall temperature of Earth’s atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect is known as global warming. This effect is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and other gases in the air, many of them released by human activity.
Explainer: Global warming and the greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases trap heat on Earth
By Agnieszka Biskup
Earth’s atmosphere works something like a giant glass greenhouse. As the sun’s rays enter our atmosphere, most continue right down to the planet’s surface. As they hit the soil and surface waters, those rays release much of their energy as heat. Some of the heat then radiates back out into space.
However, certain gases in our atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor, work like a blanket to retain much of that heat. This helps to warm our atmosphere. The gases do this by absorbing the heat and radiating it back to Earth’s surface. These gases are nicknamed “greenhouse gases” because of their heat-trapping effect. Without the “greenhouse effect,” Earth would be too cold to support most forms of life.
But there can be too much of a good thing. Carbon dioxide is released when we use fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. We burn these fuels, made from the ancient remains of plants and animals, to run electricity-generating plants that power factories, homes and schools. Products of these fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel, power most of the engines that drive cars, airplanes and ships.
More explanation here...
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-global-warming-and-greenhouse-effect
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Causes & Sources
By Marc Lallanilla
Behind the struggle to address global warming and climate change lies the increase in greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. A greenhouse gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming.
Solar radiation and the greenhouse effect
Global warming isn't a new study in science. The basics of the phenomenon were worked out by Svante Arrhenius in 1896. His paper, published in the Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, was the first to quantify the contribution of carbon dioxide to the greenhouse effect.
The sun bombards Earth with enormous amounts of radiation, which strike Earth's atmosphere in the form of visible light, plus ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) and other types of radiation that are invisible to the human eye.
About 30 percent of the radiation striking the Earth is reflected back out to space by clouds, ice and other reflective surfaces. The remaining 70 percent is absorbed by the oceans, the land and the atmosphere, according to NASA.
As they absorb radiation and heat up, the oceans, land and atmosphere release heat in the form of IR thermal radiation, which passes out of the atmosphere into space. The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation keeps Earth's overall average temperature at about 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), according to NASA.
This exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation that warms Earth is often referred to as the "greenhouse effect" because a greenhouse works in much the same way. Incoming UV radiation easily passes through the glass walls of a greenhouse and is absorbed by the plants and hard surfaces inside. Weaker IR radiation, however, has difficulty passing out through the glass walls and is trapped inside, warming the greenhouse."....
Please, go to the attached link to read the rest of the article...
https://www.livescience.com/37821-greenhouse-gases.html
Dear Colleagues,
Good Day,
"Greenhouse Gases are important
This is a photo of the English physicist James Joule 1818 - 1889
How does heat and mechanical work combine,
how does electrical current effect heat emission,
these were questions James Joule wanted to have answers to.
His theory of conservation of energy resulted in the first law of thermodynamics.
So, when you hear the word 'joule' today, his name was used to name the unit of energy or work.
Air chemistry:
78.05% nitrogen
20.95% oxygen
0.93% argon
0.039% carbon dioxide
0.00123% neon
0.0005% helium
0.000185% methane
0.000114% krypton
0.000055% hydrogen
0.000006% xenon
0.000005% ozone"...
Please, go to the attached website link...
http://www.nature-education.org/greenhouse-gas.html
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Gas