What is the greenhouse effect?

Explanation

Heat is trapped by glas, and hence the temperature inside a glass enclosure will be much higher than the surroundings. This phenomenon was used to create an enclosure where tropical plants could be kept warm during the winters in colder climates. Such enclosures are called greenhouses. Greenhouses have also lent their name to an atmosheric phenomenon. Some gases such as carbon dioxide `(CO_(2))` methane `(CH_(4))`, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) etc. present in the Earth's atmosphere prevent the escape of heat from the Earth. An increase in the percentage of such gases in the atmosphere would cause the average temperatures to increase worldwide and this is called greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons, are such green house gases. An increase in the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere, for example would cause more heat to be retained by the atmosphere and lead to global warming.