AP Environmental Science › Greenhouse Effect
The term "greenhouse effect" was first coined by whom?
Nils Gustaf Ekholm
John Tyndall
Alexander Graham Bell
Svante Arrhenius
This term was first used by Nils Gustaf Ekholm in 1901. Ekholm was an early adopter of climate control. His early studies included how the burning of coal could add unnecessary levels of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Which of the following statements regarding the greenhouse effect is true?
The greenhouse effect is also observed on other planets such as Mars and Venus.
The greenhouse effect is only observed on Earth.
The average temperature of the Earth has declined due to the greenhouse effect.
None of these
The greenhouse effect can also be found on Mars, Venus, and Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The effect on Venus is large because of its dense atmosphere of made of carbon dioxide.
__________ the largest contributor to greenhouse effect.
Water vapor
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Ozone
Water vapor is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases at 36-70%. Carbon dioxide is second with 9-26%, then methane with 4-9%, and finally ozone with 3-7%.
Choose the scientist that was not involved in studying the early existence of the greenhouse effect.
Norman Borlaug
Joseph Fourier
Claude Pouillet
John Tyndall
Every scientist listed but Norman Burlaug are responsible for the early studies of the greenhouse effect. Joseph Fourier spoke about the effect in 1824. Claude Pouillet studied its existence further in 1827 and 1838. John Tyndall conducted experimental observations in 1859.
The greenhouse effect is responsible for many beneficial aspects of the earth's atmosphere. Which of these is NOT provided directly by the greenhouse effect?
All of the choices are created by the greenhouse effect
Keeping the surface of the earth at a homogeneous temperature
Blocking some harmful radiation from penetrating through the atmosphere
Trapping some infrared radiation from the earth within the atmosphere
The greenhouse effect plays a role in all of the options because of the interaction between the layer of gasses surrounding the earth and the solar radiation that approaches the earth. An easy way to remember this is to follow the path of solar radiation traveling from the sun to the earth and think of all the possible ways in which this radiation can travel. The radiation can bounce off and not enter, it can enter and be absorbed in the surface, or it can enter and both bounce off the earth's surface and then be absorbed.