Describe the key ways in which the atmosphere affects earth. what is the greenhouse effect, and how does it work

Greenhouse effect - atmosphere traps additional heat (some light absorbed, some reflected. Reflected in form of infrared light. GE occurs when the atmosphere temporarily traps some of the infrared light that the ground emits, slowing its return to space.) Occurs only when the atmosphere contains gases that can absorb infrared light (greenhouse gases: H2O, CO2, methane (CH4).