Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon of the earth atmosphere. Gases, in particular carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone, are present in the atmosphere in small quantities. They have the capacity to retain energy in a manner analogous to a greenhouse. However, the comparison is not exact because greenhouses and the atmosphere use different trapping mechanisms.

Greenhouses are made of clear translucent material such as glass or plastic that allows sunlight to enter. The ambient temperature outside of the greenhouse can be many degrees colder, but the temperature inside of the greenhouse will be much warmer. This happens because the sun's rays warm [Page 822]the atmosphere of the closed greenhouse, causing its indoor temperature to rise. Because the glass panes of the greenhouse act as insulating ...