Anthropogenic:
caused or influenced by humans.
Conduction:
the process by which heat or electricity passes through a material
Convection:
the process in which heat moves through a gas or a liquid as the hotter part rises and the cooler, heavier part sinks.
Greenhouse gases :
gases can cause greenhouse effect (which are carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, halocarbons and water vapor— nitrogen and oxygen play no part in regulating climate change)
Halocarbons:
chemicals in which one or more carbon atoms are linked by covalent bonds with one or more halogen atoms: fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.
Infra-red radiation (IR):
· the energy in the region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum at wavelengths longer than those of visible light, but shorter than those of radio waves. It is a transverse wave, i.e. they travel in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the vibrations.
· electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than that of red light but shorter than radio waves, i.e. radiation in the wavelength range 0.7 micrometer to 1 millimeter.
Infrared:
having or using electromagnetic waves which are longer than those of red light in the spectrum, and which cannot be seen.
Ozone:
a poisonous gas with a strong smell that is a form of Oxygen.
Radiation:
powerful and very dangerous rays that are sent out from radioactive substances.
Radiation (of heat):
· the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic waves.
· powerful and very dangerous rays that are sent out from radioactive substances.
Ratification:
approve of; give formal sanction to; express responsibility, or obligation.
The Greenhouse Effect:
the process “in which the emission of infrared radiation by the atmosphere warms a planet’s surface” (Wikipedia, [website], available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_effect , 29th February, 2008).
Thermal Radiation:
radiation connected with heat
Wavelengths:
· the distance between two similar points on a wave of energy, such as light or sound.
· the wavelength is the distance between two successive crests, or two successive troughs.
The highest points in a wave are called crests/peaks, while the lowest points are called troughs.
