I took an astronomy class last semester. We analyzed the effect of carbon dioxide on our atmosphere. The global warming argument can be articulated as follows: The sun emits infrared wavelength energy that passes through our atmosphere and is reflected by the earth and subsequently trapped, causing the atmosphere to heat on a linear regression line. My question: Why do carbon dioxide molecules behave like diodes? In other words, why don’t they block infrared wavelength energy as it travels towards the earth?