Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming – AP Environmental Science | ShowMeClass

☀

Greenhouse Effect & Global Warming

AP Environmental Science · Unit 7: Atmosphere

Learning Objectives

Explain the greenhouse effect mechanism

Identify greenhouse gases: CO2, CH4, N2O, H2O

Calculate Earth's energy balance

Predict temp change from GHG increases

Energy Balance

Incoming solar: ~342 W/m²
Reflected: ~107 W/m² (albedo)
Absorbed: ~235 W/m²
Re-radiated IR: matched at equilibrium

GHGs trap IR, raising surface T above the −18°C it would be without atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gases

CO2: 420 ppm (fossil fuels)
CH4: 1.9 ppm (agriculture, wetlands)
N2O: 0.33 ppm (fertilizer)
H2O: 0-4% (feedback amplifier)

Colors

Incoming solar (shortwave)

Outgoing IR (longwave)

Trapped/re-emitted IR

Reflected

GreenhouseClimateRadiation

T_surface:15.0 °C

CO2:420 ppm

Trapped IR:-

SURFACE TEMPERATURE vs CO2 CONCENTRATION

CO2 (ppm) 420

CH4 (ppm) 1.9

Albedo 0.30

Solar constant (W/m²) 1361

Scenario Presets

Display

Energy Balance

Quick Quiz▼

1. Without greenhouse gases, Earth's avg temperature would be:

15°C -18°C 0°C 100°C

2. The most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas is:

CH4 CO2 N2O O3

3. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit:

Visible light Infrared radiation Ultraviolet radiation X-rays