The Quantum Mechanics of Greenhouse Gases

There’s a simple story of the greenhouse effect: A blanket of carbon dioxide envelops the planet, letting sunlight in but trapping its heat. As a result, Earth warms. But how does this actually work? Carbon dioxide amounts to only a tiny smattering of gas molecules — 0.042%, or roughly 420 parts per million — in our thick atmosphere. And yet, we know that doubling carbon dioxide levels can…

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