Question

Among the following the one that is not a greenhouse gas is :
a.) Nitrous oxide
b.) Methane
c.) Ozone
d.) Sulphur dioxide

Answer 1

Hint:. The Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range emitted by Earth. The gas from above options that is not green house gas is the one responsible for the smell of burnt matches. It is toxic gas.

Complete step by step answer:
As we all have studied about the greenhouse effect. It is the process by which the energy is absorbed on the surface of earth. The gases that absorb the energy from radiations which come from the sun and then emits it back are called greenhouse gases. The primary greenhouse gases present around us are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapours etc.
Thus, the gas which is not green house gas from the options given to us is Sulphur dioxide.
So, the correct answer is “Option D”.

Additional Information:
The nitrogen and oxygen are present in large amounts in the atmosphere. But they do not contribute to the greenhouse effect. This is because in these, the molecules usually contain two atoms of the same element. So, they have net no change in distribution of their electrical charges when they vibrate.
If we say about argon, then argon is monoatomic gas and monatomic gases do not have vibrational modes. Thus, these remain unaffected by infrared radiation.

Note: Sulphur dioxide is produced from volcanic eruptions. It is a major air pollutant and has a high effect on human health. It can not absorb and emit the energy like other gases, say methane or ozone. So, it is not classified as the greenhouse gas.