Lesson 6: Greenhouse Gases

What do you think the flashlight represents in the real world?

• Sun

• Earth after it is warmed by the sun

What do you think the energy coming from the flashlight represents?

• energy coming from Earth to warm the atmosphere

• energy coming from the Sun

What do you notice about the movement of the molecules and the atoms in the Nitrogen molecule?

• Travels straight through the molecule and eventually leaves the atmosphere.

• Some get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

• Bounces off the molecule into the atmosphere.

• Most get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

What do you notice about the movement of the molecules and the atoms in the Oxygen molecule?

• Travels straight through the molecule and eventually leaves the atmosphere.

• Some get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

• Bounces off the molecule into the atmosphere.

• Most get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

What do you notice about the movement of the molecules and the atoms in the Carbon dioxide molecule?

• Travels straight through the molecule and eventually leaves the atmosphere.

• Some get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

• Bounces off the molecule into the atmosphere.

• Most get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

What do you notice about the movement of the molecules and the atoms in the Methane molecule?

• Travels straight through the molecule and eventually leaves the atmosphere.

• Some get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

• Bounces off the molecule into the atmosphere.

• Most get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

What do you notice about the movement of the molecules and the atoms in the water vapor molecule?

• Travels straight through the molecule and eventually leaves the atmosphere.

• Some get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

• Bounces off the molecule into the atmosphere.

• Most get absorbed, vibrate, and release energy back into the atmosphere in different directions.

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space, then re-radiate it back toward the surface, leading to a warming effect.

Which of the molecules are Greenhouse Gases?

Groups:

(a) Greenhouse Gas

,

(b) Regular Gas

• Methane

• Water vapor

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

• Carbon dioxide