The Setup: Glass is transparent to incoming high-energy Shortwave Radiation (visible sunlight), allowing it to enter the car and heat the seats.
However, the seats emit low-energy Longwave Radiation (infrared heat). Glass is largely opaque to this longwave radiation, trapping it inside and causing the temperature to spike rapidly.
Time Elapsed:
0 mins
Inside Temp:
24.0°C | 75.2°F
The Greenhouse Effect: Greenhouse gases (GHGs) like CO₂, CH₄, and H₂O act like the glass in the car.
Incoming shortwave (yellow) passes through. Outgoing longwave (red) is absorbed by GHGs and re-radiated in all directions—including back down to Earth.