What is the difference between greenhouse gases and aerosols?

Gas particles are single molecules; aerosol particles are macroscopic (though tiny) liquid droplets or solid particles. Gases are transparent to visible light, which is the sort of energy we get from the Sun; aerosols scatter and reflect visible light. read more

As greenhouse gases provide their famous warming effect to Earth’s surface, aerosol pollution in the atmosphere actually partly counteracts it. Aerosols are tiny particles suspended in the air, both natural and industrial, including sea-salt, mineral dust, ash, soot, sulphates, nitrates, and black carbon. read more