Which gas listed is a greenhouse gas and is found in the atmosphere?

Which gas listed is a greenhouse gas and is found in the atmosphere?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Methane
• C. Nitrogen
• D. Neon

Answer: (B)

Gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere do so by absorbing infrared radiation. Methane is one of those greenhouse gases and is present in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. It comes from natural sources like wetlands and from human activities such as raising ruminant animals, rice farming, and fossil fuel extraction, which explains why it appears in the air and plays a role in warming. The other gases listed—oxygen, nitrogen, and neon—are not greenhouse gases in this context because they do not significantly absorb infrared radiation that would heat the atmosphere. Thus, methane is the gas that fits the description.

Gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere do so by absorbing infrared radiation. Methane is one of those greenhouse gases and is present in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. It comes from natural sources like wetlands and from human activities such as raising ruminant animals, rice farming, and fossil fuel extraction, which explains why it appears in the air and plays a role in warming. The other gases listed—oxygen, nitrogen, and neon—are not greenhouse gases in this context because they do not significantly absorb infrared radiation that would heat the atmosphere. Thus, methane is the gas that fits the description.