Gases in the atmosphere can absorb and emit different types of radiation, including ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation. The ozone layer protects life by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Certain greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane absorb and emit infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect and maintaining Earth's average temperature of around 59 degrees F instead of 0 degrees F without this effect.

1. The Changing Atmosphere 1.3 Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation.

2. Gases can absorb and give off radiation. Just as there are sounds we cannot hear, there are forms of light (radiation) we cannot see. Sounds can be too high to hear. Ultraviolet radiation Has more energy than the light we see. Can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage. Can harm crops and materials such as plastic and paint.

3. Gases can absorb and give off radiation. Sounds can also be too low to hear. Infrared radiation Has less energy than visible light. Usually warms the materials that absorb it. Gases in the atmosphere absorb both ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

4. The ozone layer protects life from harmful radiation. Ozone (O3) Made of 3 atoms of oxygen. We breathe O2. Ozone in the atmosphere is called the ozone layer. The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun but lets other types of radiation through.

5. The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm. Gases in the atmosphere absorb and emit infrared radiation, which keeps energy in Earth’s system for a while. This is called the greenhouse effect.

7. The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm. Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide Methane Water vapor Nitrous oxide CFCs

8. The greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm. If there were no greenhouse effect, the average temperature on Earth would be 0 degrees F. The combined effect of the greenhouse gases keeps Earth’s average temperature around 59 degrees F.