CO2 heat transfer

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Three-part image explaining the mechanics of how the CO2 heat transfer works

Part 1 - Non-greenhouse gas:

Shows an N₂ or O₂ molecule and an infra-red (IR) photon entering and exiting with caption "IR photon has little or no effect on N₂ or O₂"

Part 2 - Greenhouse gas radiative energy transfer:

Shows a CO₂ molecule absorbing IR photon's energy in step 1 and the CO₂ molecule re-radiating the IR-photon in step 2

Part 3 - Greenhouse gas kinetic energy transfer:

Step 1: CO₂ molecule absorbs photon

Step 2: CO₂ molecule is in an energized state where motion = heat energy

Step 3: CO₂ collides with N₂ and O₂ molecules, transfering its motion/heat energy

Step 4: CO₂ molecule is ready to absorb another IR photon

Step 5: Cold N₂ or O₂ molecules can absorb more motion/heat energy (higher altitude = colder)

Step 6: Cold layers are now warmer and the atmosphere contains more heat. (There's no height limit to this effect).

• High resolution JPEG (1024 pixels wide)

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