This blog features information pertaining to topics covered in our Energy System Design class at the University of Iowa for the Fall semester of 2011. It is a collaboration between Matt Burke and Matt Mercer and will be focused around the theme of energy sustainability.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface, energy is transferred to the surface and the lower atmosphere. As a result, the temperature there is higher than it would be if direct heating by solar radiation were the only warming mechanism.
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