Provide answers for the questions
- Regarding Water Vapor:
- Characterize the absorption spectrum of water vapor in the IR portion of the EM spectrum.
- Based on this characterization, is water vapor considered a ‘greenhouse-active gas’?
- Assume: “For any given temperature, Earth’s atmosphere has a finite capacity to ‘carry’ water vapor.” Identify at least two processes that serve to ‘regulate’ the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.
- Based on this investigation, what are the implications for water vapor as an agent of climate change?
- Regarding Carbon Dioxide:
- Characterize the absorption spectrum of Carbon Dioxide in the IR portion of the EM spectrum.
- Based on this characterization, is Carbon Dioxide considered a ‘greenhouse-active gas’?
- State the percentage of CO2 in the Venutian and Martian atmospheres.
- Restate your Lab 1, Part 1 estimate for the current value for the [CO2].
- Compare and contrast water vapor and Carbon Dioxide:
- Can a single absorption band distinguish between water vapor and Carbon Dioxide?
- How does use of the entire absorption spectrum for each of these gases affect your ability to make a clear distinction?
- Explain the ongoing and pressing concern with anthropogenic emissions of Carbon Dioxide relative to water vapor.