Question

Why does carbon dioxide absorb infrared radiation?

Answer 1

Hint: Carbon dioxide is a molecule with the formula of \[C{O_2}\], it absorbs the radiation like infrared radiation. The bonds in the carbon dioxide absorb the radiation and tend to undergo vibration.
The infra-red radiation is absorbed by carbon dioxide as the carbon dioxide can absorb up to \[15\] micrometres of wavelength, the wavelength of IR-radiation will fall in the range of \[15\] micrometres.

Complete answer:
Carbon dioxide is a chemical molecule that can absorb infra-red radiation, it is a good absorber of infra-red radiation. This molecule can absorb the radiation up to \[15\]micrometres.
Infrared radiation is a part of electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength range of \[780nm\] to \[1mm\]. The nanometre is the value that is equal to \[{10^{ - 9}}\]m, the millimetre is the value that is equal to \[{10^{ - 3}}\]m.
We know that carbon dioxide can absorb up to \[15\] micrometres of wavelength, one micrometre will be equal to \[{10^{ - 6}}\]m. Thus, \[15\] micrometres can fall in the range of wavelengths of infra-red radiation.
The absorbed infra-red radiation by carbon dioxide makes the bonds vibrate or bend in carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide has two double bonds and the geometry is linear and the hybridization will be \[sp\].

Note:
As the carbon dioxide is able to absorb the infra-red radiation, the reemitting of photon energy also takes place in this molecule, this fact leads to the trapping of greenhouse gas. Thus, the carbon dioxide can be able to trap the heat and is responsible for the greenhouse effect.