This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Greenhouse Effect for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Greenhouse Effect in Atmosphere for GCSE Chemistry with 25 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 11 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
🎯 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
Edexcel 1CH0: Examined in Paper 2 (1CH0/2). The mechanism of the greenhouse effect and the role of specific greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, water vapour) are tested in Edexcel Paper 2. In Edexcel-style questions, the command word "Suggest" appears frequently — use your chemistry knowledge to apply to an unfamiliar context.
Practice questions for Greenhouse Effect
Which of these gases is NOT a greenhouse gas?
Explain why the natural greenhouse effect is important for life on Earth.