Greenhouse Gases - IR Spectra

Amanda Thompson, Katrina Genuis, P. Mahaffy, King's Center for Visualization in Science

This animation allows students to explore the infrared spectra of greenhouse gases and depict the absorption spectra. Vibrational modes and Earth's energy spectrum can also be overlaid.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Helpful to read the "Getting Started", "Helpful Hints", and "Assumptions" tabs under the Help menu before using the simulation. Provide some starting points for exploring the relationships displayed in the simulation. Educators might need to review Earth's energy balance and note that the energy that is emitted from Earth is longwave radiation.
Great visualization of 8 different greenhouse gas IR spectra (H2O, C3F8, O3, CFCl3, CO2, CH4, CF2Cl2, N2O) showing their relative intensity v. wavelength. Well-designed animation that allows students to view the molecular structure of greenhouse gases and their absorption spectrum. Animation provides background information to understand the significance of infrared absorption. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
The information provided under the Help menu could be used as a start to guided questions or further exploration; however, outside research and basic understanding of the topic might be necessary to use the simulation to its full potential. Animation facilitates understanding about absorption of infrared radiation. No framing questions provided with this animation, but they can easily be designed.