Answer:
Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by all objects with a temperature above absolute zero. Both carbon dioxide and water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere are capable of absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation, a process known as radiative forcing.
When infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor absorb a portion of the radiation. This absorption causes the molecules to vibrate, which leads to an increase in their internal energy. As a result, the absorbed energy is converted into heat, causing the atmosphere to warm up.
This warming effect is known as the greenhouse effect and it plays a crucial role in regulating the temperature of the Earth's surface. Without greenhouse gases, the Earth's temperature would be too cold to support life as we know it. However, the increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, has caused an enhanced greenhouse effect, leading to a warming of the planet and contributing to global climate change.