Quiz GHG radiation

This structure makes the greenhouse gas molecules articulate, like the legs of a dancer. These molecules can then vibrate in rhythm with infrared radiation, just as a leg can dance in rhythm with music (see video below)!

This is what enables them to absorb infrared radiation (because the radiant energy is then transformed into kinetic energy).

However, they can't vibrate with visible radiation, as the wavelength is too short and the rhythm too fast. So try dancing to fast-paced music!