Have you ever wondered why Earth is so much warmer and more comfortable than the Moon, even though they are about the same distance from the Sun? The Moon experiences extreme temperatures, ranging from a freezing -170°C at night to a scorching 100°C during the day. In contrast, Earth has a much more stable climate, and this is largely thanks to our atmosphere.
Earth’s atmosphere acts like a protective blanket. During the day, it shields us from the Sun’s most harmful rays and blocks about one-third of the less intense sunlight. At night, it traps heat, preventing the planet from getting too cold. This balance is crucial for maintaining temperatures that support life.
For the atmosphere to absorb radiation, it needs molecules that can interact with electromagnetic waves. Most of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen and oxygen, which are electrically neutral and don’t absorb much heat. However, some molecules, like water vapor, ozone, and nitrous oxide, have a slight imbalance in their structure, allowing them to absorb infrared radiation, which we feel as heat.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, play a significant role in trapping heat. Although these gases might seem symmetrical, they are constantly moving and colliding with each other. This movement allows them to absorb infrared rays effectively. Even though they make up a small part of the atmosphere, they are so good at trapping heat that they intercept about 90% of Earth’s outgoing heat. This trapped heat bounces around the atmosphere and often returns to the surface before escaping into space.
We don’t need to travel to the Moon to understand how important this process is for Earth. Ice records from the coldest parts of our planet show that even small changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels can lead to significant temperature shifts. Over the past 800,000 years, natural variations have occurred, but today’s situation is more challenging due to human activities increasing greenhouse gas levels.
Understanding how greenhouse gases work helps us appreciate the delicate balance that keeps our planet warm and livable. It’s a fascinating topic that shows just how interconnected everything on Earth is!
If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, check out the animations by Kurzgesagt, which explain complex ideas in a fun and engaging way. Their channel covers a wide range of topics, and you might find it both educational and entertaining!
Build a simple model to demonstrate the greenhouse effect using two clear containers, thermometers, and a lamp. Place a thermometer in each container, cover one with plastic wrap, and leave the other open. Shine the lamp on both containers and observe the temperature changes. Discuss why the covered container gets warmer and how this relates to greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere.
Participate in a role-play activity where each of you acts as a different molecule in the atmosphere. Some of you will be greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, while others will be nitrogen or oxygen. Simulate how greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, while other gases let it pass through. This will help you understand the unique role of greenhouse gases.
Take part in an interactive quiz that tests your knowledge about greenhouse gases and their effects on Earth’s climate. Use online platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz to make the quiz fun and competitive. This will reinforce your understanding of how greenhouse gases work and their importance in maintaining Earth’s temperature.
Research a real-world example of how changes in greenhouse gas levels have affected a specific region or ecosystem. Work in groups to create a presentation that explains the impact and suggests possible solutions. This activity will help you connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications and understand the importance of managing greenhouse gas emissions.
Watch a Kurzgesagt video on greenhouse gases and climate change. After watching, discuss in small groups what you learned and how the animations helped clarify complex concepts. Share your thoughts on how this knowledge can be applied to everyday life and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Earth and the Moon are approximately the same distance from the Sun, yet temperatures on the Moon average an unlivable -18°C, with extreme variations ranging from -170°C during lunar night to 100°C at lunar noon. These temperatures regularly exceed both the coldest and hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth. While the days and nights on the Moon are about 14 times longer than those on Earth, it is our planet’s relatively fast rotation that spares us from these extreme temperatures.
What protects us is our atmosphere. During the day, it acts as a shield, blocking out the most harmful and energetic rays from the Sun and about one-third of the less intense visible light. Simultaneously, it traps infrared radiation—also known as heat—radiating from Earth’s sun-warmed surface, preventing us from freezing at night.
For our atmosphere to absorb any kind of radiation, it needs to contain electrically charged particles that can interact with passing electromagnetic waves. Most of our atmosphere is composed of gas molecules that are electrically neutral, having a balanced number of positive protons and negative electrons. However, some molecules have a slight imbalance, which allows them to absorb incoming infrared rays. For example, water, ozone, and nitrous oxide are all capable of absorbing infrared radiation due to their lopsided structure.
Then there are gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Although these molecules may appear symmetrical on paper, they are not stationary; they collide with each other billions of times per second, changing direction and modes of rotation and vibration. This movement allows both carbon dioxide and methane to absorb infrared rays and contribute to insulating the Earth.
While many different types of molecules can absorb infrared radiation, the majority of our atmosphere is made up of nitrogen and oxygen, which do not become lopsided even when vibrating—they are too symmetric. Nevertheless, the small percentage of lopsided molecules are such effective infrared absorbers that they intercept about 90% of Earth’s outgoing heat. Each captured ray bounces around the atmosphere, with most eventually returning to the surface at least once before escaping into space.
We don’t need to visit the Moon during its frigid night to understand the importance of this process for Earth. Ice records from our coldest climates indicate that small, natural variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide can lead to significant changes in temperature. Compared to the last 800,000 years, the current situation is much more challenging.
A special thanks to the team at Kurzgesagt for their animations in this video; it has been a pleasure collaborating with them! If you enjoyed this content, you can check out their channel through the link provided, where they explore a wide range of topics. Thank you also to everyone who has supported us on Subbable.com, which has now merged with Patreon.com—you make MinuteEarth possible.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun, which is home to all known life forms and has a diverse range of environments and ecosystems. – Example sentence: Earth is the only planet in our solar system known to support life due to its unique atmosphere and water resources.
Atmosphere – The layer of gases surrounding a planet, which is held in place by gravity and is crucial for weather and climate. – Example sentence: The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases that protect us from harmful solar radiation.
Greenhouse – A process by which certain gases in a planet’s atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warmer than it would be otherwise. – Example sentence: The greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining temperatures that support life on Earth.
Gases – Substances in a state of matter that have no fixed shape and can expand to fill any space, such as those found in the atmosphere. – Example sentence: The gases in Earth’s atmosphere include oxygen, nitrogen, and trace amounts of other elements.
Heat – A form of energy that is transferred between objects with different temperatures, often resulting in a change in temperature or state. – Example sentence: The Sun provides heat to the Earth, which is essential for maintaining the planet’s climate and supporting life.
Radiation – The emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or particles through space or a material medium. – Example sentence: Solar radiation is a primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system.
Carbon – A chemical element that is a fundamental building block of life and is found in all organic compounds. – Example sentence: Carbon is a key component of fossil fuels, which release energy when burned.
Dioxide – A compound consisting of two oxygen atoms bonded to another element, such as carbon dioxide, which is a significant greenhouse gas. – Example sentence: Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Temperature – A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, indicating how hot or cold it is. – Example sentence: Scientists use thermometers to measure the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.
Climate – The long-term pattern of weather conditions in a region, including temperature, precipitation, and wind. – Example sentence: Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time.
