GENERAL SCIENCE
Greenhouse Effect
(Lesson 2)
Content
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases
Causes of greenhouse effect
Consequence of greenhouse effect
Importance
Measures to reduce greenhouse effect
Summary
Reference list
Greenhouse
Greenhouse are building of glass walls and roof
Several types of plants are grown in greenhouse, including tropical flowers and tomatoes.
Greenhouse stay warm during the winter, even in extremely cold temperatures. The greenhouse’s plants and air are warmed
by the sunshine during the day.
The greenhouse remains warmed during the night, even when the temperature outside is much cooler. The results from the
greenhouse’s glass are trapping the solar heat.
Greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect functions in the same manner as a greenhouse on the earth.
A mild greenhouse effect causes the earth’s atmosphere traps heat from the sun, raising the temperature on the planet.
As the sun cannot heat up the night side of the planet, the trapped energy raises the surface temperature of the atmosphere,
increasing the planet’s temperature.
How is the greenhouse formed?
Most of the earth’s visible light is directed through the atmosphere and reaches its surface.
When heat is absorbed by the Earth’s surface, a portion of the energy is radiated as infrared radiation back into space.
The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere tend to absorb this radiation, which raises the temperature of the atmosphere.
As a result, the heated atmosphere emits infrared radiation back towards Earth’s surface.
What are the greenhouse gases?
The world’s is composed of gases called greenhouse gases that trap heat. However, they prevent the heat from leaving the
atmosphere that the sunlight brings.
Greenhouse gases include:
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Chlorofluorocarbons
Nitrous oxide
Water vapor
The greenhouse gases
Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, both by weight and by
volume.
Water vapor is also an effective greenhouse gas, as it does absorb longwave radiation and
radiates it back to the surface, Thus, contributing to warming.
If we look the pie chart, we can see that water contribute the most Earth’s greenhouse
effect.
Natural causes
Greenhouse gases are naturally by some components of the earth. The oceans contain
carbon dioxide, forest fire produce methane, and certain animals’ manure releases nitrogen oxides
A. Forest fires
Forest fires releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It takes new forest a long time to grow, and their growth isn’t
stable enough to allow enough oxygen into newly formed, suffocating carbon air. As a result of forest fires, polluting gases
are trapped in the atmosphere after the fire has burned out.
When the humidity rises, water vapor absorbs energy and thus raises the temperature.
Humans and animals’ breath oxygen and release carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Human made causes
A. Fossil fuels
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released during the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum
for energy). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which is major contribution to global warming and climate change.
In South Africa, coal remains a valuable fuel source that drives the nation’s economy through electricity production. The
country continues to emit greenhouse gases at a high rate.
When coal is burned, it reacts with oxygen in the air to produce carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas. As soon as carbon
dioxide released into the atmosphere, it reacts as a blanket, warming the earth above its normal level.
B. Deforestation
Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. In the process of cutting down trees, greenhouse gases are
emitted that increase the earth’s temperature.
The release of carbon dioxide occurs when forest is burned or rotted when forest is cleared. As a result, this increases the
concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is primarily caused by carbon dioxide. Humans
are responsible for one third of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Several harmful gases are released into the atmosphere by industries, including methane, carbon dioxide, and fluorine gas.
The effects of these also contribute to global warming.
C. Farming
Nitrous oxide used in fertilizers is one of the contributors to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.
Consequences of greenhouse effect
A. Global Warming
Molecular processes that cause’s the earth atmosphere to gradually warm. An increasing volume of greenhouse gases such
as carbon dioxide and methane are principal causes of this natural disaster, as these gases releases by vehicles, industries,
and other human activities.
Agricultural producers and communities are at risk as a result of climate extremes, such as droughts, floods, and extreme
temperatures that can cause crop losses of hamper their livelihoods. Climate change will likely increase weeds, pests, and
fungi, depending on the crop and ecosystem, as well as temperature and humidity rising.
Depletion of ozone layer
Earth is protected from harmful ultraviolet rays by the Ozone layer. It is in the upper stratosphere. In the
event of the ozone layer depletion, the earth surface would expose to harmful UV rays, which can cause
skin cancer and drastically change the climate
The image shown ozone hole cause by human-made activities.
If greenhouse effect increase, the oceans will warm, glaciers will partially melt, and sea levels will
increase. Ocean water also will expand if warms, contributing further to sea level rise.
Importance of greenhouse effect
The greenhouse effect keeps the earth’s surface at a certain temperature, making it habitable for living beings.
The atmosphere would be engulfed in red heat without the greenhouse effect.
As a result of greenhouse effect, the planet’s water level is maintained. Since the planet is experiencing relatively moderate
climate, its ice has not completely melted, leaving only polar ice caps in the polar region.
Measure to reduce greenhouse effect
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
To reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, one can instead buy products with minimal
packaging, which will generate less waste.
By purchasing reusable products instead of disposable ones, such as refillable water bottles, you reduce waste.
Planting trees
Tress absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, in turn, give off oxygen
One tree can absorb around one ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. As a result, if someone has the means to plant trees,
now would be a great time to get starter.
Using public transports or driving less
By driving less, people will save on gasoline, reducing emissions.
Also, if we bike or walk instead of driving, we get more exercise.
It is also important to make sure that your car or vehicle is running efficiently when driving
ACTIVITY TIME
Topic: Greenhouse Effect
Scenario: The Warmer Town
In a small farming town, farmers have noticed that the temperature has been increasing over the past years.
Crops are drying faster, rainfall patterns have changed, and nearby coastal areas are slowly experiencing rising
water levels. The town council discovered that more forests were cut down for housing, coal is used to produce
electricity, many residents prefer using private cars instead of public transportation, and fertilizers are widely used
in farms. Scientists explained that these activities increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
ACTIVITY I: Scientific Explanation
1. What is the main reason the Earth stays warm at night?
A. The Sun shines all night B. The atmosphere traps heat
C. The oceans produce heat D. The moon reflects heat
2. Which gas contributes the most to the greenhouse effect?
A. Oxygen B. Nitrogen C. Water vapor D. Helium
3. When coal is burned, it mainly produces:
A. Oxygen B. Carbon dioxide C. Hydrogen D. Nitrogen
4. Explain how greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere.
5. Why is the greenhouse effect important for life on Earth?
ACTIVITY II: Interpreting Scientific Data
Question:
6a. Identify two human-made causes of greenhouse gases.
6b. Identify one natural cause.
6c. Which gas appears most frequently in the table?
6d. Based on the data, which activity should the town reduce first? Explain your answer.
ACTIVITY III: Real-Life Problem Solving
7. Write TWO actions the town can implement. Explain how each action reduces greenhouse gases.
8. Imagine the greenhouse effect suddenly stopped. What would likely happen to Earth's temperature
scientifically.