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Chemistry · L4 · Greenhouse Gas Infrared Absorption and Re-emission

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How CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O absorb outgoing infrared radiation through vibrational dipole changes and re-emit it in all directions — including back toward the surface — while symmetric, nonpolar N₂ and O₂ let IR pass straight through.

by @openstemUpdated Chemistry
Sunlight(UV + visible)Surface absorbs sunlightand warmsOutgoing IR photonGreenhouse gas moleculeexcited to a highervibrational stateIR passes straightthrough to spaceRe-emitted toward the surface:adds extra warmingRe-emitted upward:escapes from a higher,colder layer of atmospherere-radiates energy as infrared (IR)matches a vibrational mode of CO2, CH4, or H2ON2 / O2: symmetric, no dipole change possiblere-emits IR photon in a random directionre-emits IR photon in a random direction

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