Learning outcomes - after studying this topic, you should be able to:

• explain the difference between a fuel and an explosive
• explain the concept of activation energy
• work out the oxidation number of nitrogen in its compounds
• work out the shapes and the number of unpaired electrons on nitrogen oxides and halides
• discuss the NO_x cycle in the atmosphere
• explain how the temperature of a planet without a greenhouse effect can be calculated
• comment on the evidence for global warming and the most important greenhouse gases

BBC Podcast on Global Warming Description: New findings show that local warming in antarctic triggered CO2 release which caused catastrophic global warming in Eocene. Contributed by Tim Schmidt

Interactive animations of the vibrations of key greenhouse gases Tags: greenhouse gases | global warming | IR Contributed by Adam Bridgeman