1. What is the Greenhouse Effect?

The greenhouse effect is a natural process by which certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the sun and keep the Earth warm enough for life.

👉 Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would be too cold to survive.

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2. How the Greenhouse Effect Works (Method / Process)

Step-by-step method:

1. Sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere.
2. Some sunlight is absorbed by the Earth’s surface (land and water).
3. The Earth then releases heat back into the atmosphere.
4. Greenhouse gases trap this heat instead of letting it escape into space.
5. This trapped heat warms the Earth.

👉 This process is similar to how a greenhouse traps heat, which is why it’s called the greenhouse effect.

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3. Role of the Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect plays an important role in maintaining Earth’s climate:

• Keeps the Earth warm
• Maintains stable temperatures
• Makes life possible for humans, plants, and animals
• Supports weather and climate balance

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4. Purpose of the Greenhouse Effect

Natural Purpose:

• To maintain the Earth’s average temperature
• To prevent extreme cold
• To allow water to remain in liquid form

Problem:

• Too much greenhouse effect causes global warming
• This is due to excess greenhouse gases released by human activities

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5. Greenhouse Gases (Very Important)

These gases are responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere:

Main Greenhouse Gases:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
   • Main greenhouse gas
   • Released from vehicles, factories, burning coal and oil
2. Methane (CH₄)
   • Released from cattle, rice fields, garbage
   • Traps more heat than CO₂
3. Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
   • Comes from fertilizers and industries
   • Very powerful greenhouse gas
4. Water Vapour (H₂O)
   • Natural greenhouse gas
   • Increases warming effect
5. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
   • Man-made gases
   • Used in refrigerators and air conditioners
   • Also damage the ozone layer

👉 Most important gas: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

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6. Natural vs Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Natural Greenhouse Effect

• Necessary for life
• Keeps Earth warm
• Balanced amount of gases

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

• Caused by human activities
• Too many greenhouse gases
• Leads to global warming, melting glaciers, climate change

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7. Effects of Excess Greenhouse Effect

• Rise in global temperature
• Melting of ice caps
• Sea level rise
• Extreme weather (floods, droughts)