How does CO2 prevent long wave-length radiation from escaping from the earth?

by Stanley Scher
(Berkeley, 94709, CA)

My questions seek to explore how CO2 interacts with photons ultimately derived from the sun to warm the earth.

This assumes that global warming or climate change is light dependent, and in the absence of light, no increase in the surface temperature of the Earth can be detected.

What is the nature of the process by which CO2 interacts with long wave-length radiation to prevent it from returning it to space?

Does atmospheric CO2 act as a mirror to reflect long-wave radiation back to the Earth's surface?

How do CO2 molecules interact with long wave-length radiation to increase the surface temperature of the Earth and the oceans?

If surface warming is a result of a photochemical reaction, does the CO2 serve as the receptor for the process?

If warming is dependent upon specific wavelengths of solar radiation, then what is the nature of the "action spectrum"?

Are some wavelengths of light more effective than others in this reaction?

How do CO2 molecules interact with photons in this reaction?

Is photon absorption by CO2 the first step in the reaction? Does CO2 react with photons in the absence of long wavelength radiation?

If we understood the nature of this reaction, would it ultimately lead to more effective methods of stabilizing global climate change?

I look forward to your reply.

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How does CO2 prevent long wave-length radiation from escaping from the earth?

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Nov 21, 2009
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by: Petr Frish (Physicist)

Dear Stanley,

You are right on both counts:

1) This assumes that global warming or climate change is light dependent, and in the absence of light, no increase in the surface temperature of the Earth can be

Yes. If there would be no Sun, there would be no light and no temperature of the surface worth mentioning.

To be more quantitative, it is not just light (visible emg radiation) but whole spectrum, as seen here:

http://oz.deichman.net/uploaded_images/molecular_absorption_spectra-739540.gif

source http://oz.deichman.net/2008_05_01_archive.html 20.5.08
Climate Change: Reprise

The radiation from the Sun has higher peak and GHG (greenhouse gases. Co2, H2) absorb mostly in the infrared(radiated by Earth, which is colder then Sun).


2) And in the absence of light, no increase in the surface temperature of the Earth can be

Yes. It may be enough to reduce sunlight by a small fraction. Plane for that are being discussed

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061104090409.htm

and also critiqued:
http://www.physorg.com/news107186421.html


http://www.tropical-rainforest-animals.com/What-Is-Global-Warming.html

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