Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

Which of the following is a greenhouse gas?

• A. Argon (Ar)
• B. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• C. Helium (He)
• D. Nitrogen (N2)

Answer: (B)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is classified as a greenhouse gas because it has the ability to absorb and emit infrared radiation, which contributes to the greenhouse effect. This process helps to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, thereby regulating the planet's temperature. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, as well as natural processes like respiration and volcanic eruptions. In contrast, argon, helium, and nitrogen do not have the same heat-trapping capabilities as CO2. Argon and helium are noble gases that do not readily react with other substances and do not exhibit significant greenhouse properties. Nitrogen, while it makes up a large portion of the Earth's atmosphere, is also not effective at absorbing infrared radiation and is therefore not considered a greenhouse gas. This distinction highlights the unique role of carbon dioxide and similar gases in climate change and the regulation of Earth's temperature.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is classified as a greenhouse gas because it has the ability to absorb and emit infrared radiation, which contributes to the greenhouse effect. This process helps to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, thereby regulating the planet's temperature. Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, as well as natural processes like respiration and volcanic eruptions.

In contrast, argon, helium, and nitrogen do not have the same heat-trapping capabilities as CO2. Argon and helium are noble gases that do not readily react with other substances and do not exhibit significant greenhouse properties. Nitrogen, while it makes up a large portion of the Earth's atmosphere, is also not effective at absorbing infrared radiation and is therefore not considered a greenhouse gas. This distinction highlights the unique role of carbon dioxide and similar gases in climate change and the regulation of Earth's temperature.