Greenhouse Effect
Definition
The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat from the sun, causing an increase in temperature on the planet. It acts like a blanket around the Earth, allowing sunlight to enter but preventing some of the heat from escaping back into space.
Analogy
Imagine being inside a car on a sunny day with all the windows closed. The sunlight enters through the windows and heats up the interior of the car. However, when you try to open the windows to let out some of that heat, they are stuck closed. This trapped heat is similar to how greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere.
Related terms
Carbon Dioxide: A greenhouse gas released primarily through human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Methane: Another potent greenhouse gas produced by natural processes like decomposition and human activities such as agriculture and waste management.
Global Warming: The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities that enhance the greenhouse effect.
"Greenhouse Effect" appears in:
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Practice Questions (3)
- Which of these contribute to climate change by increasing the greenhouse effect?
- What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?
- What is the greenhouse effect?
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