Would you be so good as to explain that chart a little. The vertical axis throws me.
The illustration is actual several graphs shown for comparison and for interpretation of cumulative results.
Let’s start with the bottom one:
This shows the radiation absorbed by wavelength (think “color”) of light by the “entire atmosphere”. That means the actual air that we breath, with all its constituate components. Now, without worrying too much about the wavelengths (color) shown on the horizontal axis, look at the over-all shape of the purple squiggly line. Keep that shape in mind as you look at two other graphs in the illustration:
Look at the water vapor only graph. This shows the radiation absorbed just by water vapor. Notice how its shape is VERY SIMILAR to the first 2/3 of the total atmosphere graph?
Now look at the Oxygen only graph. Notice how its shape is VERY SIMILAR to the last 1/3 of the total atmosphere graph?
Now, do a mental combiniation of JUST THE WATER VAPOR, and the OXYGEN graphs. You will end up with something ALMOST JUST LIKE the total atmosphere graph.
What these graphs show is that the MAJORITY of the radiation absorbed in the atmosphere as a whole is due to WATER VAPOR and OXYGEN.
The effects of Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide are relatively small by comparison.
Hope that helps.
The illustration is actual several graphs shown for comparison and for interpretation of cumulative results.
Let’s start with the bottom one:
This shows the radiation absorbed by wavelength (think “color”) of light by the “entire atmosphere”. That means the actual air that we breath, with all its constituate components. Now, without worrying too much about the wavelengths (color) shown on the horizontal axis, look at the over-all shape of the purple squiggly line. Keep that shape in mind as you look at two other graphs in the illustration:
Look at the water vapor only graph. This shows the radiation absorbed just by water vapor. Notice how its shape is VERY SIMILAR to the first 2/3 of the total atmosphere graph?
Now look at the Oxygen only graph. Notice how its shape is VERY SIMILAR to the last 1/3 of the total atmosphere graph?
Now, do a mental combiniation of JUST THE WATER VAPOR, and the OXYGEN graphs. You will end up with something ALMOST JUST LIKE the total atmosphere graph.
What these graphs show is that the MAJORITY of the radiation absorbed in the atmosphere as a whole is due to WATER VAPOR and OXYGEN.
The effects of Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide are relatively small by comparison.
Hope that helps.