Greenhouses work by trapping solar energy to create a warmer environment for plants.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Sunlight Entry: The greenhouse, typically constructed with glass or plastic sheeting, allows sunlight to pass through.
- Absorption and Conversion: Once inside, the light rays are absorbed by the plants and other surfaces within the greenhouse, converting the light energy into heat.
- Heat Trapping: When the plants release this heat energy, the glass or plastic acts as a barrier, preventing the heat from escaping. This trapped heat raises the temperature inside the greenhouse. As the reference explains, greenhouse "uses glass or plastic sheeting to allow light rays from the sun to enter the structure where they are absorbed by the plants and converted to heat. When the plants release the heat energy, it is trapped by the glass and the greenhouse stays warm."
In essence, greenhouses utilize the "greenhouse effect" on a smaller, controlled scale. This allows gardeners and farmers to cultivate plants in environments that would otherwise be too cold, extending growing seasons and increasing crop yields.
