The Greenhouse Effect Diagram

Teacher Guide: Don’t show kids

S P A C E ATMOSPHERE 1. 2. 7. G R E E N H O U S E G A S E S 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 1 Solar radiation enters the atmosphere: currently at 100%

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 2 About 30% of the heat radiation is reflected by the atmosphere and clouds and sent back to space. The remaining radiation is approximately at 70%

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 3 After traveling through the atmosphere, about 20% of the radiation is absorbed by the natural (and unnatural) gases in the atmosphere. The remaining radiation is approximately at 50%

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 4 The Earth’s land and ocean surface absorbs the remaining 50%, heating the land and oceans. This radiation will be released later.

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 5 The Earth’s land and ocean will naturally release the 50% of heat radiation back into the atmosphere. But approximately 5% of the radiation will be absorbed or reflected by greenhouse gases.

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 6 The Earth’s land and ocean will absorb the reflected greenhouse radiation, warming even more.

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

Step 7 The Earth’s land and ocean will again release this radiation, where some will be trapped in the greenhouse again to reflect back to Earth. Eventually, all of the beginning radiation will be released into space

S P A C E 1. 2. 7. ATMOSPHERE 5. 3. 4. 6.

In the End Due to the conservation of energy, energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only changed from one form to another. The SAME amount of radiation that enters Earth’s atmosphere will leave the Earth’s atmosphere, but the changes that occur can have consequences on our Earth.