Which of these gases is a greenhouse gas that absorbs some of the infrared radiation emitted by Earth's…
Earth's surface emits thermal infrared radiation after being warmed. Carbon dioxide absorbs some of that outgoing radiation and emits infrared radiation in all directions.
Choose your answer
Which of these gases is a greenhouse gas that absorbs some of the infrared radiation emitted by Earth's surface?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer D
Earth's surface emits thermal infrared radiation after being warmed. Carbon dioxide absorbs some of that outgoing radiation and emits infrared radiation in all directions.
Option feedback
Option A
Oxygen is largely transparent to outgoing thermal infrared in the greenhouse mechanism being tested.
Option B
Nitrogen is largely transparent to outgoing thermal infrared in the greenhouse mechanism being tested.
Option C
Monatomic helium does not supply the molecular vibrational absorption described here.
Option D
Carbon dioxide absorbs outgoing infrared radiation at characteristic wavelengths.
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