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Climate #5: Radiant Energy episode artwork

Jan 21, 2011 4 min

Climate #5: Radiant Energy

from Everyday Science Hosted by PSD10 and Little Shop of Physics

The sun radiates energy toward the earth, and the earth radiates much of that energy back. But some of it is blocked by carbon dioxide (CO2). The Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius theorized changing amounts of CO2 could therefore change the earth’s surface temperature. Now, the equator is warm and the poles are cold, and we can demonstrate why this is by using a heat-sensitive ball and a hot light bulb. This is a major piece of the climate puzzle which we’ll connect in the coming segments.

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Climate #5: Radiant Energy

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This episode was published on January 21, 2011.

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