what are greenhouse gases?

Answer 1

Those which reflect heat back to the Eearth much as glass in a glasshouse does.

The full spectrum of sunlight (infrared, visible, ultraviolet) shines through the atmosphere. The relatively warm Earth radiates infrared heat back into space. Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere as a bit as a infrared mirror or an insulating blanket to retain a bit of that heat.

By changing the balance of heat absorbed and heat lost by the Earth, temperatures have risen around the world. The average temperature durign 2005 was the highest ever recorded since records have been kept in the 1800s.

CO2 is the biggest, in tonnage, greenhouse gas. We've been adding it to the atmosphere in ever larger quantities since the industrial revolution. Methane (CH4) is another greenhouse gas. Methane is more potent per molecule (reflects back more heat) but is not emitted in such large quantities. And eventually reacts into CO2 and water vapor when hit by UV light.

Other gases effect the heat balance but CO2 and CH4 are the biggest players by far.

Answer 2

CO2 is not a problem. Mother nature introduced the plants a few million years ago and from that point the CO2 has decreased . The plants have done a great job considering the amount of fossil fuels burned. With the plants absorbing the CO2 the level is 1 to 2 parts per million . CO2 is a very heavy Gas,it is used to smother a fire as it is right on the ground. How would CO2 reflect any infra red heat back to the earth and considering the level is so low. The environmentalist say it has increased 30% ,with my measurements it is not there. I suspect that is like their Methane measurements. Methane is very light gas and will rise very high in the atmosphere ,how would u measure that. I think they just calculate it to give them the answer they want.

Answer 3

A greenhouse gas is one that effectively traps heat in the atmosphere by attenuating IR radiation. One example of a greenhouse gas is CO2

Answer 4

SOx, NOx, CO2, water vapor