Green Chemistry

AS Level
The Greenhouse Effect –
Global warming
 Learning Objectives
• Explain that infrared radiation by C=O,
O-H and C-H bonds in CO2, H2O and CH4,
and this contributes to global warming.
• Explain that the greenhouse effect of a
given gas is dependent both on its
atmospheric concentration and its
ability to absorb infrared radiation.
 The greenhouse effect isn’t all
bad
• Without greenhouse gases our planet
would be covered in ice with an average
temperature 35oC less than present.
• The temperature of our planet has more
to do with the greenhouse effect than
with our proximity to the sun!
• The Earth receives most of its energy in the
form of electromagnetic radiation from the
Sun.
• Most from visible, some from UV and IR
regions.
• The incoming radiation is relatively unaffected
by the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• Most IR radiation goes back into space,
however certain gases absorb this radiation,
some is re-emitted back towards the Earth.
• This traps the heat in the lower atmosphere.
 So what’s the problem?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process,
keeping our planet at a temperature capable of
supporting life. Human activity is producing
more greenhouse gases, which threaten to upset
this fine natural balance, resulting in global
warming.

The greenhouse effect creates an equilibrium.

The atmospheric gases absorb energy at the same

rate it radiates it, thus maintaining a steady
temperature.
Greenhouse effect definition:
• The greenhouse effect is the process in
which the absorption and subsequent
emission of infrared radiation by
atmospheric gases warms the lower
atmosphere and the planet’s surface.
 Greenhouse gases
• Water vapour – from evaporation of
lakes and oceans. Most abundant.
 Greenhouse gases
• Carbon dioxide – produced by volcanic
eruptions, respiration of animals and
burning or organic matter (plants).
 Greenhouse gases
• Methane – emitted during the production of
fossil fuels, rotting waste in landfill sites and
released from certain animals (cows). Least
amount but greatest contributor.
 Methane bubbles in a frozen pond
• Clathrates – contain 3000x as much
methane as atmosphere, if released this
would have a huge effect on greenhouse
gases. These are blamed for the
Bermuda Triangle.

There is some
speculation that these
have added to global
warming, but there is no
concrete proof.
 How do gases absorb radiation?
• What shape is a CO2 molecule?
• When it absorbs IR radiation it
vibrates.
• Eventually it emits this vibrating energy
as radiation.
• This can then be absorbed by another
greenhouse gas molecule or the Earth’s
surface.
• In H2O = O-H bonds absorb IR
• In CH4 = C-H bonds absorb IR
 Global warming potential (GWP)

• The ability of a trace gas to cause

global warming is described by its GWP.
• GWP is related to the lifetime of a gas
in the atmosphere as well as the ability
of a gas to absorb IR radiation.

• Since banning use of CFC’s their effect

is diminishing.
 Questions
1. Name the three greenhouse gases
2. Outline the molecular processes that
enable heat to be kept close to the
Earth.
3. What factors contribute to a gas’s
contribution to global warming?
Climate change
 Learning Objectives
• Explain the importance of controlling
global warming caused by atmospheric
increases in greenhouse gases.
• Outline the role played by chemists
through the provision of scientific
evidence that global warming is taking
place.
• Understand the role of chemists in
monitoring progress of initiatives such a
Kyoto protocol.
 Global warming
Global warming can be seen in:
• In the Arctic, ice and permafrost
disappearing
• In the Antarctic, ice sheets melting into
the oceans
• Tropical areas experiencing more
frequent and destructive storms and
floods
• In Europe, glaciers are disappearing and
there have been extreme heat waves.
 Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
• Earth Summit in 1992 – international
agreement that climate change must be
prevented, but there was little action.
• Kyoto Protocol – 0ver 100 countries.
Countries must reduce emissions of six
greenhouse gases by 5% by 2012.
• USA – biggest emitter (25% of global
emissions) – refused to sign.
• Carbon emissions need to be reduced by
70-80%, even with new wind turbines, etc.
 EU strategy for the future
2007 binding targets, by 2020:
• At least 20% of energy used in the EU will
come from renewable sources.
• Al least 10% of fuels used in transport will be
biofuels.
• EU greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced
by 20% below 1990 levels.
• Reduce greenhouse gases by 30%.

Climate Change Bill – By 2050 C emissions cut by

60%.
 Governments listen to the
scientists
• Politicians are now slowly believing
what scientists have been saying for
years “Human activity is contributing
to global warming”.
• Politicians are now looking for
measures to reduce carbon emissions.
• Kyoto Protocol and EU initiatives
prove governments are listening.
 Questions
• List three consequences of global
warming for the Earth.
• Petrol contains a mixture of
hydrocarbons, including isomers of
C8H18.
• Write a balanced equation for the complete
combustion of C8H18 (assume petrol contains
just this).
• Calculate the reduction in CO2 emission
from a car per km in 2012 (130g CO2 per
km) compared with 2005 (162g CO2 per km)
by volume.