The greenhouse effect & energy balance
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Flip to reveal answersDefine short-wave radiation in Earth’s energy budget.
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All 30 Flashcards — The greenhouse effect & energy balance
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Question
Define short-wave radiation in Earth’s energy budget.
Answer
Short-wave radiation is higher-energy radiation from the Sun (mainly visible light and UV) that can pass through the atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Sun = short-wave.
Question
List the basic steps of the natural greenhouse effect.
Answer
Short-wave radiation warms Earth’s surface, the surface emits long-wave radiation, greenhouse gases absorb some long-wave and re-emit it, warming the lower atmosphere.
💡 Hint
SW in, LW out.
Question
What is the core idea of Earth’s energy balance?
Answer
Earth’s climate depends on the balance between incoming short-wave solar radiation and outgoing long-wave infrared radiation.
💡 Hint
In vs out.
Question
Define short-wave radiation in Earth’s energy budget.
Answer
Short-wave radiation is higher-energy radiation from the Sun (mainly visible light and UV) that can pass through the atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Sun = short-wave.
Question
List the basic steps of the natural greenhouse effect.
Answer
Short-wave radiation warms Earth’s surface, the surface emits long-wave radiation, greenhouse gases absorb some long-wave and re-emit it, warming the lower atmosphere.
💡 Hint
SW in, LW out.
Question
What is the core idea of Earth’s energy balance?
Answer
Earth’s climate depends on the balance between incoming short-wave solar radiation and outgoing long-wave infrared radiation.
💡 Hint
In vs out.
Question
Name four greenhouse gases.
Answer
Examples include water vapour (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ozone (O₃).
💡 Hint
H2O, CO2, CH4, N2O.
Question
Which type of radiation do greenhouse gases mainly absorb?
Answer
Greenhouse gases mainly absorb long-wave (infrared) radiation emitted by Earth.
💡 Hint
LW/IR.
Question
Define long-wave radiation in Earth’s energy budget.
Answer
Long-wave radiation is lower-energy infrared radiation emitted by Earth’s surface after it absorbs solar energy.
💡 Hint
Earth = long-wave.
Question
Which type of radiation do greenhouse gases mainly absorb?
Answer
Greenhouse gases mainly absorb long-wave (infrared) radiation emitted by Earth.
💡 Hint
LW/IR.
Question
Define long-wave radiation in Earth’s energy budget.
Answer
Long-wave radiation is lower-energy infrared radiation emitted by Earth’s surface after it absorbs solar energy.
💡 Hint
Earth = long-wave.
Question
Name four greenhouse gases.
Answer
Examples include water vapour (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ozone (O₃).
💡 Hint
H2O, CO2, CH4, N2O.
Question
What is albedo?
Answer
Albedo is the proportion of incoming solar radiation that is reflected by a surface (high for light surfaces, low for dark surfaces).
💡 Hint
Reflectivity.
Question
What is the difference between the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect?
Answer
The natural greenhouse effect makes Earth habitable, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is extra warming caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities.
💡 Hint
Natural good; enhanced problem.
Question
What is albedo?
Answer
Albedo is the proportion of incoming solar radiation that is reflected by a surface (high for light surfaces, low for dark surfaces).
💡 Hint
Reflectivity.
Question
How does albedo affect temperature?
Answer
Higher albedo reflects more incoming radiation and tends to cool surfaces; lower albedo absorbs more and tends to warm surfaces.
💡 Hint
Reflect vs absorb.
Question
What is the difference between the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect?
Answer
The natural greenhouse effect makes Earth habitable, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is extra warming caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities.
💡 Hint
Natural good; enhanced problem.
Question
How does albedo affect temperature?
Answer
Higher albedo reflects more incoming radiation and tends to cool surfaces; lower albedo absorbs more and tends to warm surfaces.
💡 Hint
Reflect vs absorb.
Question
What must be true for Earth’s temperature to remain stable over time?
Answer
On average, incoming energy must equal outgoing energy (energy in = energy out).
💡 Hint
Balance.
Question
How much colder would Earth be without the natural greenhouse effect (approx)?
Answer
About 33°C colder (around −18°C instead of about +15°C).
💡 Hint
33°C difference.
Question
Give one human activity that enhances the greenhouse effect.
Answer
Burning fossil fuels increases CO₂ concentration, enhancing heat trapping in the lower atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Fossil fuels → CO2.
Question
Give one human activity that enhances the greenhouse effect.
Answer
Burning fossil fuels increases CO₂ concentration, enhancing heat trapping in the lower atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Fossil fuels → CO2.
Question
How much colder would Earth be without the natural greenhouse effect (approx)?
Answer
About 33°C colder (around −18°C instead of about +15°C).
💡 Hint
33°C difference.
Question
What must be true for Earth’s temperature to remain stable over time?
Answer
On average, incoming energy must equal outgoing energy (energy in = energy out).
💡 Hint
Balance.
Question
Exam skill: What key terms should appear in a full greenhouse effect explanation?
Answer
Short-wave, long-wave (infrared), absorption, re-emission, greenhouse gases, warming of the lower atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Use the key words.
Question
Exam warning: What is a common mistake in energy budget questions?
Answer
Confusing short-wave (incoming solar) with long-wave (outgoing infrared) or mixing the greenhouse effect with the ozone layer.
💡 Hint
Keep SW/LW and layers clear.
Question
Exam skill: What key terms should appear in a full greenhouse effect explanation?
Answer
Short-wave, long-wave (infrared), absorption, re-emission, greenhouse gases, warming of the lower atmosphere.
💡 Hint
Use the key words.
Question
Exam warning: What is a common mistake in energy budget questions?
Answer
Confusing short-wave (incoming solar) with long-wave (outgoing infrared) or mixing the greenhouse effect with the ozone layer.
💡 Hint
Keep SW/LW and layers clear.
Question
Exam shortcut: How do you remember short-wave vs long-wave?
Answer
Sun = short-wave (incoming). Earth = long-wave (outgoing infrared).
💡 Hint
Sun short, Earth long.
Question
Exam shortcut: How do you remember short-wave vs long-wave?
Answer
Sun = short-wave (incoming). Earth = long-wave (outgoing infrared).
💡 Hint
Sun short, Earth long.
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Full study notes for The greenhouse effect & energy balance
Topic 6.1 hub
Introduction to the atmosphere
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