What term refers to a gas that traps heat energy in the atmosphere?

What term refers to a gas that traps heat energy in the atmosphere?

• A. Greenhouse gas
• B. Oxygen
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Argon

Answer: (A)

The main idea is greenhouse gases and how they warm the planet. A greenhouse gas is a gas in the atmosphere that absorbs infrared radiation leaving Earth and then re-radiates it in all directions, including back toward the surface. This traps heat and keeps lower layers of the atmosphere warmer, which is what we call the greenhouse effect. Examples include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. In contrast, major gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and argon do not absorb infrared energy efficiently, so they don’t contribute to trapping heat in the same way. That’s why the term describing a gas that traps heat energy in the atmosphere is greenhouse gas.

The main idea is greenhouse gases and how they warm the planet. A greenhouse gas is a gas in the atmosphere that absorbs infrared radiation leaving Earth and then re-radiates it in all directions, including back toward the surface. This traps heat and keeps lower layers of the atmosphere warmer, which is what we call the greenhouse effect. Examples include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. In contrast, major gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and argon do not absorb infrared energy efficiently, so they don’t contribute to trapping heat in the same way. That’s why the term describing a gas that traps heat energy in the atmosphere is greenhouse gas.