Which term refers to gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases that trap heat?

Which term refers to gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases that trap heat?

• A. Greenhouse Effect
• B. Ozone Layer
• C. Greenhouse Gases
• D. Air Pollution

Answer: (C)

Gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. These gases—carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases—absorb infrared radiation and then re-radiate heat back toward the surface, which slows heat loss to space and leads to warming. The term refers to the actual gases, while the greenhouse effect describes the warming process that results from their presence. The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere that protects from UV radiation, not a heat-trapping gas. Air pollution is a broader term for many pollutants, not limited to heat-trapping gases. So greenhouse gases best describes these heat-trapping gases.

Gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. These gases—carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases—absorb infrared radiation and then re-radiate heat back toward the surface, which slows heat loss to space and leads to warming. The term refers to the actual gases, while the greenhouse effect describes the warming process that results from their presence. The ozone layer is a region in the stratosphere that protects from UV radiation, not a heat-trapping gas. Air pollution is a broader term for many pollutants, not limited to heat-trapping gases. So greenhouse gases best describes these heat-trapping gases.