The trapping of heat from the sun by gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. The major gas contributing to this process is Carbon dioxide gas. Greenhouse effect

When the sun shines on the Earth some of its energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface, some is reflected and some of the absorbed energy is reradiated by the Earth.

Greenhouse effect Since the Earth is cooler than the sun the wavelength of the radiant Energy is altered by the processes of reradiating and reflecting of energy.

Greenhouse effect The new wavelength does not pass through the atmosphere as easily and so it becomes trapped by gases in the air.

Greenhouse effect The gases associated with the trapping of this heat are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.

Greenhouse effect The major gas contributing to this process is Carbon dioxide gas.

Greenhouse effect Pollution raises the levels of the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect above those that occur naturally. This results in more heat being retained by the atmosphere and a general warming of the atmosphere.

Greenhouse effect Since temperature differences create the convection currents that cause weather, changes to the warming of the atmosphere can cause changes in weather patterns.