177

 Chapter 8
The greenhouse effect
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this chapter you will learn how to:
âcalculate the average intensity of radiation received by earth
âunderstand the definitions of albedo and emissivity
âcalculate the equilibrium temperature of the earth
âunderstand the greenhouse effect
âunderstand the mechanism through which greenhouse gases absorb radiation emitted from the surface of earth
âappreciate 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?