This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Greenhouse Effect for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Greenhouse Effect in Atmosphere for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 11 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 11 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
🎯 Exam Focus
Very High Frequency
What Examiners Ask About the Greenhouse Effect
- "Explain the greenhouse effect" — must include: short-wave radiation in, surface warms, long-wave IR emitted, absorbed by greenhouse gases, re-emitted back to Earth (4–5 marks)
- "Name three greenhouse gases" — CO₂, CH₄, H₂O vapour (1 mark each)
- "Explain the enhanced greenhouse effect" — human activities increase greenhouse gas concentrations, more IR trapped, extra warming (3 marks)
- "Give two sources of methane" — cattle, rice paddies, landfill (2 marks)
- "Why is the natural greenhouse effect important?" — without it Earth would be -18°C, too cold for most life (1–2 marks)
Mark Scheme Language
- Use the words "absorb" and "re-emit" — not just "trap"
- Specify "infrared" radiation — not just "heat" or "radiation"
- Mention "long-wave" or "low energy" for the IR emitted by Earth