Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Change
Atmospheric chemistry examines the chemical composition of the atmosphere, including how greenhouse gases trap heat and how human activities are altering Earth's climate.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
The greenhouse effect occurs when atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface
Key greenhouse gases include CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and water vapour, each with different warming potentials
The carbon cycle describes how carbon moves between the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere
Increased CO₂ from fossil fuel combustion is the primary driver of enhanced greenhouse warming
Key Vocabulary
Greenhouse Effect
The process by which greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb outgoing infrared radiation and re-radiate it, warming the surface
Carbon Cycle
The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere
Radiative Forcing
The change in energy flux in the atmosphere caused by natural or anthropogenic factors, measured in watts per square metre
Feedback Mechanism
A process in which a change in one component of the climate system amplifies (positive) or dampens (negative) the original change
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Which gas is the primary contributor to anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse warming?
Question 2
The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm by:
Question 3
Melting Arctic sea ice reduces Earth's albedo (reflectivity), causing more warming. This is an example of:
Key Concepts Summary
- ●The greenhouse effect occurs when atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming Earth's surface
- ●Key greenhouse gases include CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and water vapour, each with different warming potentials
- ●The carbon cycle describes how carbon moves between the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere
- ●Increased CO₂ from fossil fuel combustion is the primary driver of enhanced greenhouse warming