Greenhouse Gases
Explore the different gases that trap heat and their varying impacts on climate
Your Progress
0 / 5 completedSelect a Greenhouse Gas
🧪
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
The most important greenhouse gas, produced by burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
Current Level
420 ppm
Pre-Industrial
280 ppm
Atmospheric Lifetime
100-300 years
Global Warming Potential
1x CO₂
Major Sources:
Fossil fuel combustionDeforestationIndustrial processes
How Greenhouse Gases Trap Heat
☀️
Incoming Solar Radiation
Visible light from the sun passes through greenhouse gases and warms Earth's surface.
🌡️
Outgoing Infrared Radiation
Heat radiated from Earth as infrared light is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gases.
The Molecular Mechanism
Greenhouse gases have molecular structures that vibrate when they absorb infrared radiation. This vibration transfers energy to surrounding air molecules, increasing atmospheric temperature.
📊
Asymmetric Molecules
Bend and stretch to absorb IR
🔄
Energy Transfer
Vibrations heat the air
🌍
Global Warming
Atmosphere retains more heat
Greenhouse Gas Contributions to Warming
63%
CO₂
Primary contributor
19%
CH₄
High potency
6%
N₂O
Long lifetime
12%
Others
HFCs, PFCs, etc.