Carbon - Revision history

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Energy>Jmdonev at 23:51, 29 January 2020

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	[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]		[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]

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	<onlyinclude>'''Carbon''' ('''C''') is the 6<sup>th</sup> [[element\|element on the periodic table]], and also happens to be the 6<sup>th</sup> most abundant element in the universe.</onlyinclude><ref>Jefferson Lab, ''10 Most Abundant Elements in the Universe'' [Online], Available: http://education.jlab.org/glossary/abund_uni.html</ref> Carbon is unique because of its four valence [[electron]]s which make it very versatile and allow it to bond with many other elements including itself; with over 10 million known compounds containing carbon.<ref>Los Alamos National Laboratory, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://web.archive.org/web/20080913063402/http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/6.html</ref>		<onlyinclude>'''Carbon''' ('''C''') is the 6<sup>th</sup> [[element\|element on the periodic table]], and also happens to be the 6<sup>th</sup> most abundant element in the universe.</onlyinclude><ref>Jefferson Lab, ''10 Most Abundant Elements in the Universe'' [Online], Available: http://education.jlab.org/glossary/abund_uni.html</ref> Carbon is unique because of its four valence [[electron]]s which make it very versatile and allow it to bond with many other elements including itself; with over 10 million known compounds containing carbon.<ref>Los Alamos National Laboratory, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://web.archive.org/web/20080913063402/http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/6.html</ref>

			<!--T:3-->
	Carbon and its different compounds play a large role in the world we live in. Carbon by itself is important in the world, as it bonds with itself to form diamonds, graphite and other [[forms of carbon]]. Carbon by itself isn't necessarily an issue, however its inclusion in other [[molecule]]s is where interesting things start to happen. Although there are over 10 million compounds of carbon, energy science is primarily concerned about a select few:		Carbon and its different compounds play a large role in the world we live in. Carbon by itself is important in the world, as it bonds with itself to form diamonds, graphite and other [[forms of carbon]]. Carbon by itself isn't necessarily an issue, however its inclusion in other [[molecule]]s is where interesting things start to happen. Although there are over 10 million compounds of carbon, energy science is primarily concerned about a select few:

			<!--T:4-->
	*[[Carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) and		*[[Carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) and
	*the many [[Hydrocarbon]]s.		*the many [[Hydrocarbon]]s.

			<!--T:5-->
	Hydrocarbons and CO<sub>2</sub> are very closely linked, as will be explored in the next section.		Hydrocarbons and CO<sub>2</sub> are very closely linked, as will be explored in the next section.

	==Carbon in Fuels==		==Carbon in Fuels== <!--T:6-->
	Hydrocarbons are molecules which contain carbon and [[hydrogen]]. They make up the [[fuel]]s the world uses to get most of its [[primary energy]] - around 95%<ref>OECD data, visit [[primary energy]] for more detail.</ref> - and when we use them to get this [[energy]], one of the products that is made is CO<sub>2</sub>. Hydrocarbons are the primary constituent of [[fossil fuel]]s, namely [[natural gas]], [[petroleum]], and [[coal]], which is where a large amount of the world's energy comes from. Fossil fuels provide most of the world's [[electricity]], along with providing by far the most dominant [[transportation]] [[secondary fuel\|fuel]]s like [[gasoline]] and [[diesel]].		Hydrocarbons are molecules which contain carbon and [[hydrogen]]. They make up the [[fuel]]s the world uses to get most of its [[primary energy]] - around 95%<ref>OECD data, visit [[primary energy]] for more detail.</ref> - and when we use them to get this [[energy]], one of the products that is made is CO<sub>2</sub>. Hydrocarbons are the primary constituent of [[fossil fuel]]s, namely [[natural gas]], [[petroleum]], and [[coal]], which is where a large amount of the world's energy comes from. Fossil fuels provide most of the world's [[electricity]], along with providing by far the most dominant [[transportation]] [[secondary fuel\|fuel]]s like [[gasoline]] and [[diesel]].

			<!--T:7-->
	The process of [[hydrocarbon combustion]] is how energy is harnessed from fossil fuels. A hydrocarbon reacts with [[molecular oxygen]], producing carbon dioxide and [[water vapour]], as seen in Figure 2. Different types of hydrocarbons produce different amounts of carbon dioxide, with those found in [[coal]] producing the most.<ref name="challenge">R.D. Botts, D.M. Carson, and D.Coglon. "Petroleum in our live" in ''Our petroleum challenge'', 8th ed. Calgary:Canadian Center for Energy Development, 2013, pp. 7-15.</ref>		The process of [[hydrocarbon combustion]] is how energy is harnessed from fossil fuels. A hydrocarbon reacts with [[molecular oxygen]], producing carbon dioxide and [[water vapour]], as seen in Figure 2. Different types of hydrocarbons produce different amounts of carbon dioxide, with those found in [[coal]] producing the most.<ref name="challenge">R.D. Botts, D.M. Carson, and D.Coglon. "Petroleum in our live" in ''Our petroleum challenge'', 8th ed. Calgary:Canadian Center for Energy Development, 2013, pp. 7-15.</ref>

			<!--T:8-->
	[[File:combustion_of_methane.jpg\|800px\|thumbnail\|center\|Figure 1. Methane combining with 2 oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water and heat.<ref name="image">American Chemical Society. "Methane and oxygen react". Internet: http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/chapter6/lesson1, [October 25,2013]</ref>]]		[[File:combustion_of_methane.jpg\|800px\|thumbnail\|center\|Figure 1. Methane combining with 2 oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water and heat.<ref name="image">American Chemical Society. "Methane and oxygen react". Internet: http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/chapter6/lesson1, [October 25,2013]</ref>]]

	==Carbon in the atmosphere==		==Carbon in the atmosphere== <!--T:9-->
	:''[[carbon cycle\|main article]]''		:''[[carbon cycle\|main article]]''
	[[File:co2gif.gif\|318px\|thumb\|Figure 3. Carbon dioxide is able to interact with infrared radiation, leading to an imbalance of radiation entering and leaving the atmosphere.<ref>PhET Simulations, ''Molecules and Light'' [Online], Available: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light</ref>]]		[[File:co2gif.gif\|318px\|thumb\|Figure 3. Carbon dioxide is able to interact with infrared radiation, leading to an imbalance of radiation entering and leaving the atmosphere.<ref>PhET Simulations, ''Molecules and Light'' [Online], Available: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light</ref>]]

			<!--T:10-->
	The burning of these hydrocarbons produces carbon dioxide which is a [[greenhouse gas]]; meaning that it absorbs and re-emits [[infrared radiation]] back to the Earth as seen in Figure 3, producing a [[climate change]] effect. Although greenhouse gases are necessary for the habitable temperatures on the Earth (click [[temperature of the Earth without the greenhouse effect\|here]] for more info), the increase of these gases in the [[atmosphere]] contribute to [[global warming]]. The management of CO<sub>2</sub> [[emissions]] from the combustion of fossil fuels is a central technological, economic, and political concern.<ref name=enc>The Encyclopedia of Earth, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150918/</ref>		The burning of these hydrocarbons produces carbon dioxide which is a [[greenhouse gas]]; meaning that it absorbs and re-emits [[infrared radiation]] back to the Earth as seen in Figure 3, producing a [[climate change]] effect. Although greenhouse gases are necessary for the habitable temperatures on the Earth (click [[temperature of the Earth without the greenhouse effect\|here]] for more info), the increase of these gases in the [[atmosphere]] contribute to [[global warming]]. The management of CO<sub>2</sub> [[emissions]] from the combustion of fossil fuels is a central technological, economic, and political concern.<ref name=enc>The Encyclopedia of Earth, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150918/</ref>

			<!--T:11-->
	[[Methane]] (CH<sub>4</sub>), [[carbon monoxide]] and [[particulate matter\|black carbon]] are all present in the atmosphere, and each have varying effects on the planet. The amount of each of these in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly: the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by about 35% in the industrial era, and methane by about 250%. These levels had been relatively stable for around 10 thousand years prior to this.<ref>IPCC, ''The Natural Carbon Cycle'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch7s7-3.html</ref> The [[climate forcing]] effect of methane is about 1/3 that of carbon dioxide, so it is considered the second most important greenhouse gas. This increase is known to be due to human activities, primarily the [[combustion]] of [[fossil fuel]]s and removal of forests.<ref>IPCC, ''FAQ: What Factors Determine Earth’s Climate?'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/faq-1-1.html</ref>		[[Methane]] (CH<sub>4</sub>), [[carbon monoxide]] and [[particulate matter\|black carbon]] are all present in the atmosphere, and each have varying effects on the planet. The amount of each of these in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly: the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by about 35% in the industrial era, and methane by about 250%. These levels had been relatively stable for around 10 thousand years prior to this.<ref>IPCC, ''The Natural Carbon Cycle'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch7s7-3.html</ref> The [[climate forcing]] effect of methane is about 1/3 that of carbon dioxide, so it is considered the second most important greenhouse gas. This increase is known to be due to human activities, primarily the [[combustion]] of [[fossil fuel]]s and removal of forests.<ref>IPCC, ''FAQ: What Factors Determine Earth’s Climate?'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/faq-1-1.html</ref>

	===Natural Carbon Cycle===		===Natural Carbon Cycle=== <!--T:12-->
	Both carbon dioxide and methane, along with all other forms, are natural parts of the [[carbon cycle]], which is the composite of all forms of carbon on the planet found anywhere from the [[ocean]] to the upper [[layers of the atmosphere]].		Both carbon dioxide and methane, along with all other forms, are natural parts of the [[carbon cycle]], which is the composite of all forms of carbon on the planet found anywhere from the [[ocean]] to the upper [[layers of the atmosphere]].

			<!--T:13-->
	The natural carbon cycle is kept very nearly in balance; animals and plants emit CO<sub>2</sub> to the atmosphere through respiration, while plants absorb it through [[photosynthesis]]. The ocean also cycles CO<sub>2</sub> with the atmosphere, done in an almost perfect balance. This cycle occurs rapidly, as a typical molecule of CO<sub>2</sub> spends only about 5 years in the atmosphere.<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Carbon: A Closer Look" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 13, sec. 5, pp. 357-361</ref>		The natural carbon cycle is kept very nearly in balance; animals and plants emit CO<sub>2</sub> to the atmosphere through respiration, while plants absorb it through [[photosynthesis]]. The ocean also cycles CO<sub>2</sub> with the atmosphere, done in an almost perfect balance. This cycle occurs rapidly, as a typical molecule of CO<sub>2</sub> spends only about 5 years in the atmosphere.<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Carbon: A Closer Look" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 13, sec. 5, pp. 357-361</ref>

	===Human Effect on the Carbon Cycle===		===Human Effect on the Carbon Cycle=== <!--T:14-->

			<!--T:15-->
	Humans are affecting this natural cycle, mostly by the burning of fossil fuels, manufacturing of cement, and removal of forestry, as seen in red in Figure 4 below. The result is a net increase of carbon in the atmosphere and [[ocean]]s, which is what causes the warming effect along with [[ocean acidification]].		Humans are affecting this natural cycle, mostly by the burning of fossil fuels, manufacturing of cement, and removal of forestry, as seen in red in Figure 4 below. The result is a net increase of carbon in the atmosphere and [[ocean]]s, which is what causes the warming effect along with [[ocean acidification]].

			<!--T:16-->
	The effects of both of these can have disastrous effects on the carbon cycle, as they can work to amplify the effects of added carbon into the atmosphere. For example forest fires caused by global warming effects could return much of the CO<sub>2</sub> that plant-life is expected to rid of from the atmosphere. Acidification of the oceans from too much absorbed CO<sub>2</sub> can harm marine life, which play important roles in the ocean carbon cycle.<ref name=wolf/>		The effects of both of these can have disastrous effects on the carbon cycle, as they can work to amplify the effects of added carbon into the atmosphere. For example forest fires caused by global warming effects could return much of the CO<sub>2</sub> that plant-life is expected to rid of from the atmosphere. Acidification of the oceans from too much absorbed CO<sub>2</sub> can harm marine life, which play important roles in the ocean carbon cycle.<ref name=wolf/>

			<!--T:17-->
	[[File:Carbon_cycle.jpg\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 4. The carbon cycle of the Earth. Numbers represent the mass of carbon in gigatonnes (not the molecules, just carbon alone) that is cycled. Yellow text is the natural carbon cycle, with red text showing human effects.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online]. (June 5 2015). Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle#/media/File:Carbon_cycle.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:Carbon_cycle.jpg\|780px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 4. The carbon cycle of the Earth. Numbers represent the mass of carbon in gigatonnes (not the molecules, just carbon alone) that is cycled. Yellow text is the natural carbon cycle, with red text showing human effects.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online]. (June 5 2015). Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle#/media/File:Carbon_cycle.jpg</ref>]]

	===Fate of Carbon in the Atmosphere===		===Fate of Carbon in the Atmosphere=== <!--T:18-->

			<!--T:19-->
	Mentioned earlier is that a typical carbon dioxide molecule will only remain in the atmosphere for around 5 years. This seems promising, however it doesn't tell the full story. If humans were to stop their effect on the carbon cycle instantly, it would take about 100 years for half of the carbon that humans have put in the atmosphere to sink into the deep ocean or land. However as less and less human-induced carbon is present in the cycle, it begins to take longer for the cycle to rid of it. Only after thousands of years will this carbon be nearly totally rid of, and at that point the effects of it might already be too late to reverse.<ref name=wolf/>		Mentioned earlier is that a typical carbon dioxide molecule will only remain in the atmosphere for around 5 years. This seems promising, however it doesn't tell the full story. If humans were to stop their effect on the carbon cycle instantly, it would take about 100 years for half of the carbon that humans have put in the atmosphere to sink into the deep ocean or land. However as less and less human-induced carbon is present in the cycle, it begins to take longer for the cycle to rid of it. Only after thousands of years will this carbon be nearly totally rid of, and at that point the effects of it might already be too late to reverse.<ref name=wolf/>

	==Video==		==Video== <!--T:20-->
	The video below is from the University of Nottingham's [http://www.periodicvideos.com/ periodic videos project].<ref>See more videos from the University of Nottingham on different elements here: http://www.periodicvideos.com/</ref> They have created a complete suite of short videos on every element on the [[periodic table of elements]].		The video below is from the University of Nottingham's [http://www.periodicvideos.com/ periodic videos project].<ref>See more videos from the University of Nottingham on different elements here: http://www.periodicvideos.com/</ref> They have created a complete suite of short videos on every element on the [[periodic table of elements]].

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Jmdonev at 20:34, 20 November 2016

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	[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]		[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>'''Carbon''' ('''C''') is the 6<sup>th</sup> [[element\|element on the periodic table]], and also happens to be the 6<sup>th</sup> most abundant element in the universe.</onlyinclude><ref>Jefferson Lab, ''10 Most Abundant Elements in the Universe'' [Online], Available: http://education.jlab.org/glossary/abund_uni.html</ref> Carbon is unique because of its four valence [[electron]]s which make it very versatile and allow it to bond with many other elements including itself; with over 10 million known compounds containing carbon.<ref>Los Alamos National Laboratory, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://web.archive.org/web/20080913063402/http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/6.html</ref>		<onlyinclude>'''Carbon''' ('''C''') is the 6<sup>th</sup> [[element\|element on the periodic table]], and also happens to be the 6<sup>th</sup> most abundant element in the universe.</onlyinclude><ref>Jefferson Lab, ''10 Most Abundant Elements in the Universe'' [Online], Available: http://education.jlab.org/glossary/abund_uni.html</ref> Carbon is unique because of its four valence [[electron]]s which make it very versatile and allow it to bond with many other elements including itself; with over 10 million known compounds containing carbon.<ref>Los Alamos National Laboratory, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://web.archive.org/web/20080913063402/http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/6.html</ref>

	Carbon and its different compounds play a large role in the world we live in. Carbon by itself is important in the world, as it bonds with itself to form diamonds, graphite and ~~more, which you can read about~~ [[~~Forms~~ of carbon~~\|here~~]]. Carbon by itself isn't necessarily an issue, however its inclusion in other [[molecule]]s is where interesting things start to happen. Although there are over 10 million compounds of carbon, ~~we are~~ primarily concerned about a select few:		Carbon and its different compounds play a large role in the world we live in. Carbon by itself is important in the world, as it bonds with itself to form diamonds, graphite and other [[forms of carbon]]. Carbon by itself isn't necessarily an issue, however its inclusion in other [[molecule]]s is where interesting things start to happen. Although there are over 10 million compounds of carbon, energy science is primarily concerned about a select few:

	*[[Carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) and		*[[Carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>) and
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	Mentioned earlier is that a typical carbon dioxide molecule will only remain in the atmosphere for around 5 years. This seems promising, however it doesn't tell the full story. If humans were to stop their effect on the carbon cycle instantly, it would take about 100 years for half of the carbon that humans have put in the atmosphere to sink into the deep ocean or land. However as less and less human-induced carbon is present in the cycle, it begins to take longer for the cycle to rid of it. Only after thousands of years will this carbon be nearly totally rid of, and at that point the effects of it might already be too late to reverse.<ref name=wolf/>		Mentioned earlier is that a typical carbon dioxide molecule will only remain in the atmosphere for around 5 years. This seems promising, however it doesn't tell the full story. If humans were to stop their effect on the carbon cycle instantly, it would take about 100 years for half of the carbon that humans have put in the atmosphere to sink into the deep ocean or land. However as less and less human-induced carbon is present in the cycle, it begins to take longer for the cycle to rid of it. Only after thousands of years will this carbon be nearly totally rid of, and at that point the effects of it might already be too late to reverse.<ref name=wolf/>

			==Video==
			The video below is from the University of Nottingham's [http://www.periodicvideos.com/ periodic videos project].<ref>See more videos from the University of Nottingham on different elements here: http://www.periodicvideos.com/</ref> They have created a complete suite of short videos on every element on the [[periodic table of elements]].

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	==References==		==References==

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-11-13T01:47:36Z

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Jmdonev at 23:58, 28 October 2015

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	[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]		[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]

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	==Carbon in the atmosphere==		==Carbon in the atmosphere==
	:''[[carbon ~~in the atmosphere~~\|main article]]''		:''[[carbon cycle\|main article]]''
	[[File:co2gif.gif\|318px\|thumb\|Figure 3. Carbon dioxide is able to interact with infrared radiation, leading to an imbalance of radiation entering and leaving the atmosphere.<ref>PhET Simulations, ''Molecules and Light'' [Online], Available: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light</ref>]]		[[File:co2gif.gif\|318px\|thumb\|Figure 3. Carbon dioxide is able to interact with infrared radiation, leading to an imbalance of radiation entering and leaving the atmosphere.<ref>PhET Simulations, ''Molecules and Light'' [Online], Available: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light</ref>]]

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Jmdonev at 20:10, 3 September 2015

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	[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]		[[File:CARBON.png\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Carbon, [[atomic weight]] of 12.011 and [[atomic number]] of 6.<ref>Made internally by a member of the Energy Education team.</ref>]]

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	==Carbon in Fuels==		==Carbon in Fuels==
	Hydrocarbons are molecules which contain carbon and [[hydrogen]]. They make up the [[fuel]]s the world uses to get most of its [[primary energy]] - around 95%<ref>OECD data, visit [[primary energy]] for more detail.</ref> - and when we use them to get this energy, one of the products that is made is CO<sub>2</sub>. Hydrocarbons are the primary constituent of [[fossil fuel]]s, namely [[natural gas]], [[petroleum]], and [[coal]], which is where a large amount of the world's energy comes from. Fossil fuels provide most of the world's [[electricity]], along with providing by far the most dominant [[transportation]] [[secondary fuel\|fuel]]s like [[gasoline]] and [[diesel]].		Hydrocarbons are molecules which contain carbon and [[hydrogen]]. They make up the [[fuel]]s the world uses to get most of its [[primary energy]] - around 95%<ref>OECD data, visit [[primary energy]] for more detail.</ref> - and when we use them to get this [[energy]], one of the products that is made is CO<sub>2</sub>. Hydrocarbons are the primary constituent of [[fossil fuel]]s, namely [[natural gas]], [[petroleum]], and [[coal]], which is where a large amount of the world's energy comes from. Fossil fuels provide most of the world's [[electricity]], along with providing by far the most dominant [[transportation]] [[secondary fuel\|fuel]]s like [[gasoline]] and [[diesel]].

	The process of [[hydrocarbon combustion]] is how energy is harnessed from fossil fuels. A hydrocarbon reacts with molecular oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and [[water vapour]], as seen in Figure 2. Different types of hydrocarbons produce different amounts of carbon dioxide, with those found in [[coal]] producing the most.<ref name="challenge">R.D. Botts, D.M. Carson, and D.Coglon. "Petroleum in our live" in ''Our petroleum challenge'', 8th ed. Calgary:Canadian Center for Energy Development, 2013, pp. 7-15.</ref>		The process of [[hydrocarbon combustion]] is how energy is harnessed from fossil fuels. A hydrocarbon reacts with [[molecular oxygen]], producing carbon dioxide and [[water vapour]], as seen in Figure 2. Different types of hydrocarbons produce different amounts of carbon dioxide, with those found in [[coal]] producing the most.<ref name="challenge">R.D. Botts, D.M. Carson, and D.Coglon. "Petroleum in our live" in ''Our petroleum challenge'', 8th ed. Calgary:Canadian Center for Energy Development, 2013, pp. 7-15.</ref>

	[[File:combustion_of_methane.jpg\|800px\|thumbnail\|center\|Figure 1. Methane combining with 2 oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water and heat.<ref name="image">American Chemical Society. "Methane and oxygen react". Internet: http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/chapter6/lesson1, [October 25,2013]</ref>]]		[[File:combustion_of_methane.jpg\|800px\|thumbnail\|center\|Figure 1. Methane combining with 2 oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water and heat.<ref name="image">American Chemical Society. "Methane and oxygen react". Internet: http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/chapter6/lesson1, [October 25,2013]</ref>]]
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	[[File:co2gif.gif\|318px\|thumb\|Figure 3. Carbon dioxide is able to interact with infrared radiation, leading to an imbalance of radiation entering and leaving the atmosphere.<ref>PhET Simulations, ''Molecules and Light'' [Online], Available: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light</ref>]]		[[File:co2gif.gif\|318px\|thumb\|Figure 3. Carbon dioxide is able to interact with infrared radiation, leading to an imbalance of radiation entering and leaving the atmosphere.<ref>PhET Simulations, ''Molecules and Light'' [Online], Available: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecules-and-light</ref>]]

	The burning of these hydrocarbons produces carbon dioxide which is a [[greenhouse gas]]; meaning that it absorbs and re-emits [[infrared radiation]] back to the Earth as seen in Figure 3, producing a [[climate change]] effect. Although greenhouse gases are necessary for the habitable temperatures on the Earth (click [[temperature of the Earth without the greenhouse effect\|here]] for more info), the increase of these gases in the [[atmosphere]] contribute to [[global warming]]. The management of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels is a central technological, economic, and political concern.<ref name=enc>The Encyclopedia of Earth, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150918/</ref>		The burning of these hydrocarbons produces carbon dioxide which is a [[greenhouse gas]]; meaning that it absorbs and re-emits [[infrared radiation]] back to the Earth as seen in Figure 3, producing a [[climate change]] effect. Although greenhouse gases are necessary for the habitable temperatures on the Earth (click [[temperature of the Earth without the greenhouse effect\|here]] for more info), the increase of these gases in the [[atmosphere]] contribute to [[global warming]]. The management of CO<sub>2</sub> [[emissions]] from the combustion of fossil fuels is a central technological, economic, and political concern.<ref name=enc>The Encyclopedia of Earth, ''Carbon'' [Online], Available: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150918/</ref>

	[[Methane]] (CH<sub>4</sub>), [[carbon monoxide]] and [[particulate matter\|black carbon]] are all present in the atmosphere, and each have varying effects on the planet. The amount of each of these in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly: the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by about 35% in the industrial era, and methane by about 250%. These levels had been relatively stable for around 10 thousand years prior to this.<ref>IPCC, ''The Natural Carbon Cycle'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch7s7-3.html</ref> The [[climate forcing]] effect of methane is about 1/3 that of carbon dioxide, so it is considered the second most important greenhouse gas. This increase is known to be due to human activities, primarily the [[combustion]] of [[fossil fuel]]s and removal of forests.<ref>IPCC, ''FAQ: What Factors Determine Earth’s Climate?'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/faq-1-1.html</ref>		[[Methane]] (CH<sub>4</sub>), [[carbon monoxide]] and [[particulate matter\|black carbon]] are all present in the atmosphere, and each have varying effects on the planet. The amount of each of these in the atmosphere has been increasing rapidly: the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by about 35% in the industrial era, and methane by about 250%. These levels had been relatively stable for around 10 thousand years prior to this.<ref>IPCC, ''The Natural Carbon Cycle'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/ch7s7-3.html</ref> The [[climate forcing]] effect of methane is about 1/3 that of carbon dioxide, so it is considered the second most important greenhouse gas. This increase is known to be due to human activities, primarily the [[combustion]] of [[fossil fuel]]s and removal of forests.<ref>IPCC, ''FAQ: What Factors Determine Earth’s Climate?'' [Online], Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/faq-1-1.html</ref>