CO2, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor absorb infrared radiation.
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Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation in specific wavelength bands, and their warming effect depends on that absorption and on how long they persist in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the largest contributor because of its quantity and long lifetime. Methane is a far more potent absorber per molecule, with a global warming potential roughly 28 times that of CO2 over a hundred years, and nitrous oxide is about 270 times as potent. Fluorinated gases such as HFCs and SF6 can be thousands of times more potent but are emitted in small amounts. Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas but acts mainly as a feedback that responds to temperature.
Key ideas: Global warming potential (GWP) compares gases to CO2 over 100 years: CH4 about 28, N2O about 265, CFC-12 about 10000, SF6 about 23500. CO2 persists for centuries, CH4 about 12 years. Sources: CO2 from combustion, CH4 from livestock, rice paddies, landfills and gas leaks, N2O from fertilizers, fluorinated gases from refrigeration.
Common mistakes and connections: Mistake: judging only by GWP, since total effect equals GWP times emitted amount, and CO2 dominates due to volume. Ozone at ground level is also a greenhouse gas. Water vapor is not counted as emitted forcing. Links to bond vibration, fertilizer and CFC regulation.
Global warming potential over 100 years relative to CO2. Methane and nitrous oxide absorb far more per molecule, though CO2 dominates because of its quantity. The interactive lesson shows this as a live animation or chart.
Cattle digestion and flooded rice paddies release methane into the atmosphere.
CO2, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor absorb infrared radiation.
Greenhouse Gases is a beginner topic in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry. It needs no earlier chemistry lessons and is a good starting point.
Study these earlier topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry first: Atmospheric Composition, Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming.
The next topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry are Carbon Cycle and Ozone Layer Depletion.
Yes. The interactive lesson includes a self-check question on Greenhouse Gases, and the Biochemistry, Environment & Industry quiz draws on every topic in this area.
Greenhouse Gases is topic 72 of 127 in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry.
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