... the ground at a global average of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Without that, the average would be below the freezing point of water. The gases have this effect because as incoming solar radiation hits the surface, the surface gives off infrared radiation. The effect is like when a greenhouse traps heat, which is where we got the name greenhouse effect. Scientists are scared ... a global increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, largely as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. If the many other determinates of the earth's present global climate remains more or less constant, the CO2 inc...

• Word Count: 1009
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... it is today. When Earth was formed it was a ball of molten rock with a thin atmosphere consisting of hydrogen and helium. These gases quickly escaped from the atmosphere because of solar wind, extreme heat and the ultra-light weight of these elements. When the gases escaped, Earth was left without an atmosphere. However, Earth was slowly evolving. The Earth had ... constant geological activity that created extreme volcanism. The volcanoes spewed out gases that went into the atmosphere. The two most important gases were H2O and CO2. The H2O collected in the ... ...

• Word Count: 331
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School