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Chapter 8

The greenhouse effect

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this chapter you will learn how to:

●calculate the average intensity of radiation received by earth

●understand the definitions of albedo and emissivity

●calculate the equilibrium temperature of the earth

●understand the greenhouse effect

●understand the mechanism through which greenhouse gases absorb radiation emitted from the surface of earth

●appreciate that human activities related to the burning of fossil fuels leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

GUIDING questions

What is the mechanism by which the earth maintains a constant average temperature?