The Greenhouse Effect at the Molecular Level

Michael Monce, Connecticut College

Abstract

The greenhouse effect is generally modeled on a macro scale by designating energy balance for the planetary system. This involves the incoming solar radiation, reflected solar energy, absorbed solar energy at the ground, and subsequent re-radiation at longer wavelengths from the ground. The reradiated energy is then either transmitted out of the system or absorbed by the greenhouse gases and thus changing the overall energy balance.

However, the entire notion of the effects of so-called greenhouse gases hinges on the absorption and reemission of radiation at the individual molecular level. This paper presents an evaluation of that process by utilizing a different computational technique of Einstein coefficients. This will allow an easier approach to an order of magnitude result as opposed to the more accurate, but tedious and sometime near impossible route of direct integration.