Science · Class 7–10

The Greenhouse Effect

See how greenhouse gases trap the Sun’s heat and keep the Earth warm — and why too much of it causes global warming.

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🧠 Remember it

The Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, water vapour) trap the Sun's heat like the glass of a greenhouse. A little warming keeps Earth livable; too much causes global warming.

🌏 In real life

A car parked in the summer sun turns into an oven — sunlight enters through the glass but the heat can't escape. Earth's greenhouse gases trap heat in the very same way.

📝 Quick notes

  • Sunlight reaches Earth and warms the surface, which then radiates heat back.
  • Greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, nitrous oxide) absorb and re-emit this heat, keeping Earth warm.
  • A natural greenhouse effect is essential — without it Earth would be freezing cold.
  • Burning fossil fuels and deforestation raise CO₂ levels, trapping extra heat.

🎯 Test yourself

Name two greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide and methane (also water vapour and nitrous oxide).

Learn it fully — free

See the animated, step-by-step The Greenhouse Effect lesson on Syllab

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