Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => The Environment => Topic started by: Paul123 on 04/03/2007 13:10:40

Title: Global warming
Post by: Paul123 on 04/03/2007 13:10:40

Ok so global warming is caused by CO2 etc. But i was thinking and thought could it also be due to the fact that when fossil fuels are burned or electrical appliances give off heat, then this is effectively turning energy stored by fossil fuels into heat which can then maybe heat the atmosphere?

Title: Global warming
Post by: Bored chemist on 04/03/2007 14:53:09

The extra heat generated directly like this does certainly contribute to overall warming but it's not a very big effect. The sun transfers roughly a kilowatt of power to each square metre of the earth's surface - even a small change in the amount of that which gets absorbed will make a difference to the earth's heat ballance.

Title: Global warming
Post by: tony6789 on 08/03/2007 12:09:52

yes like chemiist said it doesnt contribute much...think about it man...the heat would cool off as it goes up into the atmosphere so vvery little heat would affect the earth globaly