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A greenhouse gas (often abbreviated as GHG) is a gas that both absorbs and emits radiation in the infrared range, commonly called thermal radiation or heat. When present in the atmosphere, these gases trap radiation in the form of heat, causing a warming process called the greenhouse effect. The presence of four major greenhouse gases, namely water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the Earth's atmosphere keeps the average temperature of 15º C (59º F), whereas without the greenhouse effect the average temperature would be a frosty -18º C (0º F).

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Is chlorine - Cl2 - a greenhouse gas?

Chlorine (Cl2) is not considered a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases are substances that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Chlorine is not one of these gases.


What makes a greenhouse gas and how does it contribute to the Earth's climate system?

Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth's surface to warm. This warming effect is known as the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. When these gases accumulate in the atmosphere, they enhance the natural greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change.


Why are nitrogen and oxygen not considered greenhouse gases?

Nitrogen and oxygen are not considered greenhouse gases because they do not absorb or emit infrared radiation, which is necessary for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane have this ability, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming.


What are the gases involved with greenhouse gases?

The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.


What characteristics determine whether a gas is classified as a greenhouse gas?

Greenhouse gases are determined by their ability to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases have molecules that can absorb and emit infrared radiation, which leads to the warming of the planet. Common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.

Related Questions

What gases are not greenhouse gas?

Greenhouse gases must have three atoms, so gases like hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) are not greenhouse gases.


How are atmospheric gases like the gases in a greenhouse?

The glass on the greenhouse stops temperature from leaving or entering like the gases do to the earth.The atmospheric gases are called 'greenhouse gases' based on the idea that the gases 'trap' heat like the walls of a greenhouse do


What does the greenhouse do to the gases from the atmosphere?

The greenhouse effect warms the gases in the atmosphere.


How do you use the words 'greenhouse gases' in a sentence?

Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases but by increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere we are contributing to global warming.


Is the sun involved in the greenhouse gases?

Yes. The greenhouse gases trap the sun's heat.


What greenhouse gases do in the atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases keep the earth warm.Too much greenhouse gas is causing global warming.


What substances trap heat from the earth in?

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, ozone and nitrous oxide. They are known as 'greenhouse gases'.


How can you use the term greenhouse gases in a sentence?

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are essential in mitigating the impacts of climate change.


What are greenhouse?

Non-greenhouse gases are all gases except the greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are those that can absorb and emit infrared radiation.The most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are:Water vapor (H2O)Carbon dioxide (CO2)Methane (CH4)Nitrous oxide (N2O)Ozone (O3)CFCs


Which part of the greenhouse represents greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

The glass or plastic walls of a greenhouse represent greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by trapping heat energy inside, much like how greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat.


What region has the least greenhouse gases?

The warmth of the sun and the global winds mix the greenhouse gases all round the world, so there is nowhere that has more, or less of the greenhouse gases.


What do you call gases that retain heat within the atmosphere?

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and potentially leading to global warming. Examples of greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.