Molecules and Light: Greenhouse Effect
Shine microwave, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light on molecules and see which absorb it and what happens.
Choose a light source and a molecule, then switch on the light. Some molecules absorb the photons and spin, shake, glow or break apart. Others let light pass right through.
About the Molecules and Light: Greenhouse Effect
Free molecules and light: greenhouse effect. Shine microwave, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light on molecules and see which absorb it and what happens. Drag, change the sliders and see the result live. No sign-up, works on phone and computer. Built for chemistry, the molecules and light: greenhouse effect runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Shine microwave, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light on molecules and see which absorb it and what happens. Use it to explore chemistry ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Molecules and Light: Greenhouse Effect
- Use the controls to change Light source, Molecule. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet to switch modes or load an example.
- Press "Light on / off" to start, reset or change what is happening.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Compare CO₂ and N₂ in infrared.
- Shine ultraviolet on ozone.
- Try microwaves on water.
Key ideas you can learn
- Different light energies make molecules move in different ways.
- Microwaves make polar molecules rotate.
- Infrared makes bonds vibrate.
- Ultraviolet can break molecules apart.
Where this is used in the real world
This explains global warming, the ozone layer and how a microwave oven heats food.
Who is this simulation for?
Chemistry students from middle school to university, teachers who need a virtual demonstration, and anyone without access to a lab. It is safe, free and repeatable as many times as you like.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
Why are CO₂ and CH₄ greenhouse gases?
They absorb infrared light, which traps heat in the atmosphere.
Why do N₂ and O₂ not trap heat?
They do not absorb infrared, so it passes straight through.
Is the Molecules and Light: Greenhouse Effect free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Molecules and Light: Greenhouse Effect work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.