This deep dive covers Sources of Greenhouse Gases 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 4 of 14 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🏭 Sources of Greenhouse Gases
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
- Burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas in power stations, vehicles, and homes
- Deforestation: removes trees that would otherwise absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis; burning trees releases stored carbon
- Industrial processes: cement production — CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂
Methane (CH₄)
- Cattle and other livestock: methane produced during digestion (enteric fermentation)
- Rice paddies: anaerobic decomposition in flooded fields
- Landfill sites: decomposing organic waste releases methane
- Natural gas leaks from pipelines and extraction
Water Vapour (H₂O)
- The most abundant natural greenhouse gas
- Not a direct human emission — but acts as a feedback: as CO₂ warms the planet, more water evaporates, amplifying warming
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.
Quick recall flashcards
What are the three main greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and water vapour (H₂O)
What type of radiation does Earth emit?
Long-wave infrared radiation (heat)