,BLG1501 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 (225234) - DUE 11 April 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations…..WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
Question 1 1.1 Write explanatory notes on the greenhouse
effect. CO2, water vapour, sulphur dioxide and other greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere intercept and absorb radiant energy
emitted by the earth and reflect it back towards the earth. This
process causes some of the solar energy to be retained.
Thegreenhouse effect is believed to have contributed to the
present global warming. (Study Unit 16.4)
Explanatory Notes on the Greenhouse Effect
Introduction to the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that plays a
crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s temperature. It involves
the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by certain gases,
known as greenhouse gases, which leads to a warming effect.
While the greenhouse effect is essential for sustaining life on
Earth, human activities have significantly enhanced this process,
leading to an increase in global temperatures, commonly
referred to as global warming.
, Greenhouse Gases and Their Role
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor
(H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and sulphur
dioxide (SO2), are responsible for absorbing and re-emitting
infrared radiation (heat) from the Earth’s surface. These gases
make up a small proportion of the Earth's atmosphere but have a
profound impact on the climate by trapping heat.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): This gas is released through the
burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas),
deforestation, and various industrial processes. It is one of
the primary contributors to the enhanced greenhouse effect
and global warming.
Water Vapour (H2O): Water vapor is the most abundant
greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, but its concentration is
primarily controlled by temperature. Warmer temperatures
increase evaporation rates, leading to higher humidity,
which further enhances the greenhouse effect.
Methane (CH4): Methane is released from livestock,
agriculture, natural gas production, and landfills. It has a
much stronger heat-trapping ability than CO2, although it is
present in much smaller amounts.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): This gas is emitted from
agricultural and industrial activities, as well as the burning
of fossil fuels. It is less abundant than CO2 but is still a
potent greenhouse gas.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2): Although sulphur dioxide is not a
direct greenhouse gas, it can form aerosols that reflect
sunlight, potentially leading to a temporary cooling effect.
, However, its contribution is much less significant
compared to the other greenhouse gases.
How the Greenhouse Effect Works
The greenhouse effect begins with the sun’s energy, which is
mostly in the form of visible light, reaching the Earth’s surface.
Some of this energy is absorbed by the Earth, warming the
surface, while the rest is reflected back into space.
The Earth, in turn, emits heat in the form of infrared
radiation (longer-wavelength energy).
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb a significant
portion of this infrared radiation.
After absorbing the heat, these gases re-emit it in all
directions, including back towards the Earth’s surface. This
process creates a warming effect that is necessary for life
on the planet.
Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth's average temperature
would be about -18°C, instead of the current 15°C, making it
much less hospitable for life.
The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and
deforestation, have led to an increase in the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse
effect has amplified the natural process of warming, leading to a
rise in global temperatures — a phenomenon known as global
warming.
Semester 1 2025 (225234) - DUE 11 April 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations…..WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
Question 1 1.1 Write explanatory notes on the greenhouse
effect. CO2, water vapour, sulphur dioxide and other greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere intercept and absorb radiant energy
emitted by the earth and reflect it back towards the earth. This
process causes some of the solar energy to be retained.
Thegreenhouse effect is believed to have contributed to the
present global warming. (Study Unit 16.4)
Explanatory Notes on the Greenhouse Effect
Introduction to the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that plays a
crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s temperature. It involves
the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by certain gases,
known as greenhouse gases, which leads to a warming effect.
While the greenhouse effect is essential for sustaining life on
Earth, human activities have significantly enhanced this process,
leading to an increase in global temperatures, commonly
referred to as global warming.
, Greenhouse Gases and Their Role
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor
(H2O), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and sulphur
dioxide (SO2), are responsible for absorbing and re-emitting
infrared radiation (heat) from the Earth’s surface. These gases
make up a small proportion of the Earth's atmosphere but have a
profound impact on the climate by trapping heat.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): This gas is released through the
burning of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas),
deforestation, and various industrial processes. It is one of
the primary contributors to the enhanced greenhouse effect
and global warming.
Water Vapour (H2O): Water vapor is the most abundant
greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, but its concentration is
primarily controlled by temperature. Warmer temperatures
increase evaporation rates, leading to higher humidity,
which further enhances the greenhouse effect.
Methane (CH4): Methane is released from livestock,
agriculture, natural gas production, and landfills. It has a
much stronger heat-trapping ability than CO2, although it is
present in much smaller amounts.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): This gas is emitted from
agricultural and industrial activities, as well as the burning
of fossil fuels. It is less abundant than CO2 but is still a
potent greenhouse gas.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2): Although sulphur dioxide is not a
direct greenhouse gas, it can form aerosols that reflect
sunlight, potentially leading to a temporary cooling effect.
, However, its contribution is much less significant
compared to the other greenhouse gases.
How the Greenhouse Effect Works
The greenhouse effect begins with the sun’s energy, which is
mostly in the form of visible light, reaching the Earth’s surface.
Some of this energy is absorbed by the Earth, warming the
surface, while the rest is reflected back into space.
The Earth, in turn, emits heat in the form of infrared
radiation (longer-wavelength energy).
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb a significant
portion of this infrared radiation.
After absorbing the heat, these gases re-emit it in all
directions, including back towards the Earth’s surface. This
process creates a warming effect that is necessary for life
on the planet.
Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth's average temperature
would be about -18°C, instead of the current 15°C, making it
much less hospitable for life.
The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and
deforestation, have led to an increase in the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This enhanced greenhouse
effect has amplified the natural process of warming, leading to a
rise in global temperatures — a phenomenon known as global
warming.
