What if it gets energy handed back? Can it emit then?
Sure it can. why couldn't it? but it won't emit until it is in a vibrating state and still can loose that energy on another collision.
Am I missing one of your steps that causes the IR absorption to not heat the atmosphere
Well sure you are...IR is converted to kinetic energy. no longer IR. It's handed to another gas molecule that isn't the same molecular structure as it is.
What is it you think happens? seems you always avoid letting the class know what you think happens.
Sure it can. why couldn't it?
Excellent! And when it emits, it can send that photon in any direction, even toward the ground.
but it won't emit until it is in a vibrating state and still can loose that energy on another collision.
Yup. Sometimes it emits, sometimes it collides.
Well sure you are...IR is converted to kinetic energy. no longer IR.
Yes, the IR doesn't heat the atmosphere until it is absorbed.
It's handed to another gas molecule that isn't the same molecular structure as it is.
It's not restricted as far as the molecule it hits, but yes, that's how IR heats the atmosphere.
What is it you think happens?
The IR heats the atmosphere. SSDD was wrong. You too (
And IR doesn't heat anything in the atmosphere)