1. Topic: The Greenhouse Effect PSSA: 3.5.7.C / S8.D.2.1

2. Objective: TLW explain how the greenhouse effect occurs and how it contributes to global warming. TLW explain how the greenhouse effect occurs and how it contributes to global warming.

3. MI #1: What is the Greenhouse Effect? The greenhouse effect is the process by which gases in the atmosphere (particularly CO 2 and water vapor) trap heat energy and radiate it back to Earth. The greenhouse effect is the process by which gases in the atmosphere (particularly CO 2 and water vapor) trap heat energy and radiate it back to Earth.

4. MI #2: Radiation Balance For Earth to remain livable, the amount of energy received from the sun should be approximately equal to the amount returned to space. For Earth to remain livable, the amount of energy received from the sun should be approximately equal to the amount returned to space. This balance is called radiation balance. This balance is called radiation balance.

5. MI #3: Global Warming Many scientists believe that the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, disrupting the Earth’s radiation balance. Many scientists believe that the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, disrupting the Earth’s radiation balance. If this hypothesis is true, increased temperatures could alter global climate patterns. If this hypothesis is true, increased temperatures could alter global climate patterns.

6. So What…? Real Life Application Understanding the Greenhouse Effect is important because many scientists believe that it is contributing to global climate changes. Understanding the Greenhouse Effect is important because many scientists believe that it is contributing to global climate changes.