TOPIC 15: Greenhouse effect

The term 'Greenhouse Effect' is commonly used to describe the increase in the Earth's average temperature. Water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide absorb energy, the gas particles begin to vibrate and they radiate energy in all directions, including approximately 30% of it back towards Earth.As a result, the Earth's average surface temperature is kept at about 15C by the blanket of atmosphere that surrounds it.Without this, the temperature would be about -18C and would be too cold for life.An increase in fluorocarbons and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enhances the atmosphere's ability to trap heat which leads to an increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth.