Nitrous oxide,hydrocarbons and greenhouse

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the increase in the number of gas molecules in the atmosphere due to human activity and its impact on atmospheric heating. Participants explore whether this increase alone can lead to temperature changes, considering the atmosphere's behavior as a system.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how much atmospheric heating is attributable solely to the increase in gas molecules, suggesting a need for clarity on this relationship.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty, stating that the increase in the number of molecules may not automatically lead to a temperature rise, particularly in a real atmospheric context.
  • A different viewpoint posits that the number of gas molecules remains relatively constant regardless of human activity, implying minimal impact on temperature changes.
  • One participant notes that gravity imposes limits on atmospheric expansion, suggesting that this could affect volume changes in the atmosphere.
  • A follow-up question seeks clarification on the mechanics of how gravity limits atmospheric expansion.
  • A later reply concurs with the idea that an increase in gas molecules alone would not lead to temperature changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between gas molecule increases and temperature changes, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of atmospheric behavior and the influence of gravity, but do not resolve the underlying assumptions or mathematical implications of their claims.

verdigris
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greenhouse and increase in number of gas molecules in atmosphere

How much atmospheric heating is due just to the fact that as the number of gas molecules increases (through human activity) the temperature of a fixed volume rises?
 
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No one knows (i dare to say). I am not sure that increasing # of molecules alone will automatically increase temperature in real atmosphere,ie, cannot treat it as fixed volume.
 
Probably none! the number of gas molecules in the atmosphere is more-or-less the same with or without human activity, and also the atmosphere cannot be treated as a fixed volume.
 
Gravity limits how much the atmosphere can expand so there would be a limit to how much the volume could change.
 
Gravity limits how much the atmosphere can expand so there would be a limit to how much the volume could change.

how does that happen?
 
You are right - it wouldn't.
 

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