Author Question: What is the greenhouse effect? How does it warm the atmosphere? What will be an ideal ... (Read 82 times)

s.tung · **on:** Jul 21, 2018

What is the greenhouse effect? How does it warm the atmosphere?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why was lead once a serious atmospheric contaminant? How was that problem solved?

What will be an ideal response?

johnharpe · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

It is the process by which infrared (long-wave) radiation produces an increase in the observable temperature in any
closed system. Sunlight warms the earth's surface and that heat radiates into the atmosphere in the form of infrared
energy. Certain gasses in the atmosphere also absorb part of the sun's energy and radiate that into the atmosphere
as infrared energy in the form of heat.

Answer to Question 2

It was used in gasoline to increase the efficiency of engines. In the United States, conversion to unleaded gasoline
was mandated in the 1970s and lead in gasoline was prohibited beginning in 1995. Most other countries followed
about the same timeline. Lead is no longer a major atmospheric problem.