BRAINCAKEGreenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth's surface warm enough for life. Without it the mean surface temperature would be about −18 °C instead of about 15 °C.
It works like this:
1. Short-wavelength radiation from the Sun (visible light and ultraviolet) passes through the atmosphere.
2. Some is reflected, but much is absorbed by the Earth's surface, which warms up.
3. The warm surface emits longer-wavelength infrared radiation.
4. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb some of this infrared radiation and re-emit it in all directions, including back towards the surface. This traps heat energy in the lower atmosphere.
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More in Human Influence on Ecosystems
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- Evaluating Studies
- Evidence for the Global Temperature Increase
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All 29 lessons in Human Influence on Ecosystems · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics