Solar Radiation and Greenhouse Effect

Flashcards covering key concepts about solar radiation, the greenhouse effect, and greenhouse gases.

Solar Radiation

The energy emitted from the sun, part of which reaches Earth's surface.

Albedo

The measure of reflectivity of a surface; darker surfaces have lower albedo and absorb more sunlight.

Greenhouse Effect

The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun and radiate it back to Earth, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, including CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and various CFCs.

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

A measure of how much a given molecule of gas contributes to warming the atmosphere over a 100-year period relative to CO2.

CO2

Carbon dioxide, a significant greenhouse gas produced by fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and decomposition.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas released during natural gas extraction, animal agriculture, and anaerobic decomposition.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

A greenhouse gas emitted from agricultural soils and particularly from denitrification processes.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons, man-made gases used in refrigeration and aerosol products that have a high GWP.

Water Vapor (H2O)

The most abundant greenhouse gas, which results from evaporation and transpiration, but does not primarily drive atmospheric temperature changes.