Which layer of the atmosphere does the greenhouse effect occur in? Thanks!
please, just tell me!
The greenhouse effect occurs primarily in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. To understand why this layer is involved in the greenhouse effect, let me explain how it works.
When sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, some of it is reflected back into space, while the remaining portion is absorbed by the Earth. As the Earth warms up, it emits infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor (H2O), trap this outgoing radiation and prevent it from escaping directly into space. Instead, these gases absorb and re-emit some of the infrared radiation, causing an increase in temperature in the lower atmosphere.
The troposphere is where weather occurs and where most of Earth's atmospheric gases are found, including greenhouse gases. As a result, the majority of the greenhouse effect happens within this layer, extending from the Earth's surface up to approximately 8-15 kilometers (5-9 miles) in altitude, depending on the location and weather conditions.
It is important to note that while the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that helps to maintain Earth's habitable temperature range, human activities have significantly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This excessive buildup contributes to global warming and climate change.