Earth's atmosphere reflects or absorbs some sunlight but allows most of the visible light pass through to Earth's surface. 4 ways the atmosphere affects light: Absorbs light Reflects light Emits light Allows light to pass through Ozone: A protective layer of gas that is composed of molecules made of three atoms of Oxygen. List Characteristics for the Ozone: * Protectant in the Stratosphere * Pollutant in the Troposphere * Protects Earth by absorbing UV Rays

Ultraviolet Radiation: More energy than visible light Can cause sunburn & damage tissue Emitted from the sun Infrared Radiation Less energy than visible light Warms materials that absorb it Emitted from the warm ground Both Waves of energy Forms of radiation we can’t see

The Ozone protects Earth by: Absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, while allowing other types of radiation, such as visible light & infrared radiation, to get through Describe 3 characteristics for Greenhouse Effect: 1. Caused by greenhouse gases 2. Gases absorb infrared radiation 3. Gases give off infrared radiation

Describe greenhouse gases and list examples Absorb and give off infrared radiation The gases that cause the greenhouse effect Water vapor Carbon Dioxide Methane Nitrous Oxide How does the greenhouse effect interact with the Sun’s energy? Solar radiation heats Earth’s surface, and the surface gives off infrared radiation. The greenhouse gases absorb some of the infrared radiation, some is sent back to space. The gases release the radiation, and some of it warms Earth. This is a continuous cycle!