16 Questions
Which of the following is NOT a principal greenhouse gas?
Oxygen
What is the main function of greenhouse gases?
Absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation
What percentage of nitrogen is present in the Earth’s atmosphere by volume?
78%
How can the greenhouse effect be explained?
In terms of molecular energy levels
Which of the following statements about greenhouse gases is true?
They absorb and re-emit infrared radiation
What do greenhouse gases do in terms of radiation?
Absorb and emit infrared radiation
Which greenhouse gas is most abundant in the atmosphere?
Water vapour
Which greenhouse gas contributes most to the overall greenhouse effect?
Carbon dioxide
Why do scientists not believe that future changes in water vapour concentrations will significantly affect the Earth's climate?
Water vapour does not absorb infrared radiation
Which greenhouse gas absorbs infrared radiation more strongly than carbon dioxide?
Methane
What is the main reason nitrogen, oxygen, and argon have no greenhouse effect?
They have non-polar molecules or atoms
What is the primary reason for the greenhouse effect?
Absorption of infrared radiation
What happens to the thermal radiation emitted by the Earth's surface in the absence of greenhouse gases?
It continues to travel away from the planet
What happens to about half of the thermal radiation re-radiated by greenhouse gas molecules?
It is directed back towards the Earth's surface
What causes greenhouse gas molecules to absorb infrared radiation?
Their vibration at high frequencies
What is the main factor determining the relative importance of greenhouse gases in causing the greenhouse effect?
Their abundance in the atmosphere
Explore the properties of greenhouse gases, their origins, and the greenhouse effect. Learn about the absorption of infrared radiation and molecular energy levels, and understand the impact of human activity on these gases.
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