Greenhouse warming potentials from the infrared spectroscopy of atmospheric gases

Abstract

The greenhouse warming potential is a relative measure of the capacity of a specific chemical species to trap infrared radiation as heat in the Earth's atmosphere, and is a scale that has been used to establish regulatory strategies for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A model is described that allows a straightforward, spreadsheet-based determination of greenhouse warming potentials from the infrared spectra of atmospheric gases. On the basis of the numerical results of the model, students are able to investigate the molecular properties that are characteristic of greenhouse gases and thus are able to understand the rationale behind the recent agreement by the world's industrialized nations to reduce certain greenhouse gas emissions.

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Publication Date

12-1-1999

Publication Title

Journal of Chemical Education

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1021/ed076p1702

Keywords

Atmospheric chemistry

Language

English

Format

text

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS