Process
- Energy from the sun travels to the earth as short wavelength Electromagnetic Radiation. Some is reflected by the atmosphere but most transmit This is because short wavelength doesn’t interact strongly with gas molecules in the atmosphere.
- The energy of radiation is absorbed when it reaches the surface of the earth.
- The earth now re-emits/radiates the energy as long wavelength radiation - infrared
- Some of this is reflected by the gas molecules in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases