Researchers discover how colliding oxygen molecules absorb light
Scientists at Radboud University have managed to do what had never been tried before: accurately describe how colliding oxygen molecules absorb light. Our atmosphere consists of approximately 20 percent oxygen molecules, which constantly collide with each other and with the 80 percent of nitrogen molecules, and in doing so absorb light. The new theory describes the mechanism by which this takes place. This discovery will enable climate researchers to far more accurately determine the concentrations of the molecules that pollute the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect.
With the aid of satellites in space, we are able to accurately measure the main pollutants and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In order to do so, the satellites observe the spectrum of sunlight that shines through the atmosphere. Molecules of various atmospheric gases absorb sunlight, and this absorption occurs at different wavelengths for each gas. Since the ‘fingerprint’ (the spectrum) of each of the different gases is known, scientists now know more about the presence and concentration of each of these gases.
To correct these measurements for the effects of clouds and changes in air pressure, the absorption by oxygen is measured as a reference, because we know exactly how much oxygen is present in the atmosphere. Scientists at Radboud University now show that the ‘fingerprint’ of oxygen is different from what it was believed to be, because it is strongly influenced by collisions with nitrogen and collisions with other oxygen molecules.
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