Earth and atmospheric science GapFill

Gases in the atmosphere which absorb energy radiated by Earth's surface are called  incubator gasesgreenhouse gasessummerhouse gasesconservatory gases. They let short-wave radiation from the Sun pass through, but trap longer wavelength  ultravioletinfraredmicrowaveX-ray radiation emitted by Earth, thereby raising its  pressurehumiditymagnetismtemperature.

The main gases which are responsible for global warming are  carbon dioxidehydrogennitrogencarbon monoxide and methane. The abundance of these gases in the atmosphere has been increasing recently, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels combined with the removal of  carbon storescarbon poolscarbon sinkscarbon deposits by deforestation, which reduces the amount of photosynthesis taking place. Although most scientists think that these increases will have dramatic effects on Earth, such as rising  population levelssea levelsvolcanic activitycar prices, others disagree, arguing that it is difficult to  noticepreventmonitorpredict the effects we will face.

There are many theories about Earth's early atmosphere and what it contained. Many people think that when Earth was formed the atmosphere contained mainly  water vapournitrogencarbon dioxidesulfuric acid. One of the most well-supported theories for the development of the early atmosphere is that  tornadoesearthquakeshumansvolcanoes were the main contributor of the gases, as well as in forming the oceans from condensed  oxygenacidswater vapournitrogen. In addition to nitrogen, there may have been small proportions of methane and ammonia released.

Levels of carbon dioxide slowly decreased due to the increased rate of photosynthesis in  animalsalgaevirusesfungi and plants. This also contributed to  overwhelmingincreaseddecreasednegligible levels of oxygen, allowing the evolution of animals. Carbon dioxide was also removed from the atmosphere by the action of the oceans, where it dissolved to form  acidshydroxidescarbonatescarboxides, and fossil fuels were also formed as organic material was buried under damp conditions.

The atmosphere of today's Earth has been around in much the same form for about 200 million years. The composition of gases present is about  80%50%20%90% nitrogen, with the majority of the rest being  argonmethanecarbon dioxideoxygen, although there are small amounts of other gases present too.