Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the characteristic of other gases like carbon dioxide and methane that allows them to absorb infrared radiation?
What is the characteristic of other gases like carbon dioxide and methane that allows them to absorb infrared radiation?
They vibrate and rotate in different directions due to collisions with each other.
What percentage of atmospheric gases are capable of absorbing infrared radiation?
What percentage of atmospheric gases are capable of absorbing infrared radiation?
1%
What are the primary reasons for the extreme temperature fluctuations on the Moon's surface?
What are the primary reasons for the extreme temperature fluctuations on the Moon's surface?
The lack of atmosphere on the Moon.
How does the Earth's atmosphere shield the planet from the Sun's harmful radiation?
How does the Earth's atmosphere shield the planet from the Sun's harmful radiation?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the absorbed radiation in the atmosphere?
What happens to the absorbed radiation in the atmosphere?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the ice core records suggest about the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and temperature?
What do the ice core records suggest about the relationship between carbon dioxide levels and temperature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is necessary for the atmosphere to absorb radiation?
What is necessary for the atmosphere to absorb radiation?
Signup and view all the answers
How has the radiation shield changed over the past 800,000 years?
How has the radiation shield changed over the past 800,000 years?
Signup and view all the answers
Why are most atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, unable to absorb infrared radiation?
Why are most atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, unable to absorb infrared radiation?
Signup and view all the answers
What types of gases are able to absorb infrared radiation?
What types of gases are able to absorb infrared radiation?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the atmosphere trap heat emanating from the Earth's surface?
How does the atmosphere trap heat emanating from the Earth's surface?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
-
The Earth and Moon are approximately at the same distance from the Sun, but the Moon's surface temperature ranges from -18°C to 170°C, making it uninhabitable, while the Earth's surface temperature remains relatively stable.
-
The extreme temperature fluctuations on the Moon are due to its lack of atmosphere, whereas the Earth's atmosphere protects it from these temperature extremes.
-
The atmosphere acts as a shield during the day, blocking most of the harmful and high-energy radiation from the Sun, and absorbing about one-third of the visible light.
-
At the same time, the atmosphere traps the infrared radiation, or heat, emanating from the Earth's surface, which would otherwise escape into space.
-
For the atmosphere to absorb any type of radiation, it needs to have some electrically charged particles to interact with the electromagnetic waves and push them around.
-
Most of the atmospheric gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, are electrically balanced, with an equal number of positive protons and negative electrons, making them unable to absorb infrared radiation.
-
However, some gases, such as water, ozone, and nitrous oxide, are electrically unbalanced, which allows them to absorb infrared radiation.
-
Other gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, appear to be electrically balanced, but they are not stationary and collide with each other billions of times per second, causing them to vibrate and rotate in different directions, making them capable of absorbing infrared radiation.
-
Despite most of the atmospheric gases being unable to absorb infrared radiation, the 1% of unbalanced gases are highly effective in absorbing infrared radiation, capable of stopping 90% of the heat from escaping.
-
The absorbed radiation is bounced around the atmosphere, often returning to the Earth's surface at least once before escaping into space.
-
The importance of the radiation shield is evident in the ice core records from the coldest regions on Earth, which show that even small natural fluctuations in carbon dioxide levels can make a significant difference in temperature.
-
Compared to the past 800,000 years, the radiation shield has become more challenging.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Learn how the Earth's atmosphere protects the planet from extreme temperature fluctuations and how certain gases play a crucial role in trapping heat. Discover the importance of the radiation shield and its impact on the Earth's climate. Explore the science behind the Earth's stable surface temperature.
