IR and UV

[kevina]

Hi there might be being a bit thick, but the sun emits UV which passes through our atmosphere some gets redirected the rest is absorbed by the earth and IR is given out which is the cause for global warming in a nutshell.

 

I realise that UV and IR have different wave lengths but UV like IR is reflected by the clouds wouldn't this cause exactly the same effect with the greenhouse gasses storing the heat ?

 

I mean UV causes sun burn so wouldn't it be the same case for the atmosphere ?

 

I'm aware that the carbon cycle and water cycle play a large role in the whole global warming thing and from the book I'm studying water vapor has a lot more to do with global warming than say carbon emissions if that's the case then surely were pretty knackered as the methane deposits will go with the ice caps which leads to more global warming which means more water vapor (until it reaches 100% humidity).

 

 

 

Just realised this should have been in the homework help section :/