Question

The green house gas is (a) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) (b) Chlorofluorocarbons (c) \(\mathrm{O}_{3}\) (d) All

Short answer

All options (a), (b), and (c) are greenhouse gases. So, the correct answer is (d).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the question

The question asks which substances are considered greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change.

Identify each option

Look at each given option: (a) \(\text{CO}_{2}\) \(\text{carbon dioxide}\) (b) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (c) \(\text{O}_{3}\) \(\text{ozone}\) (d) All

Determine if each option is a greenhouse gas

(a) \(\text{CO}_{2}\): Carbon dioxide is a well-known greenhouse gas.(b) Chlorofluorocarbons: CFCs are also greenhouse gases and contribute to ozone layer depletion.(c) \(\text{O}_{3}\): Ozone in the troposphere acts as a greenhouse gas.(d) All: This option suggests that all of the above substances are greenhouse gases.

Choose the correct answer

Since \(\text{CO}_{2}\), CFCs, and \(\text{O}_{3}\) are all greenhouse gases, the correct answer is (d) All.

Key concepts

carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide, often written as \(\text{CO}_2\), is a colorless gas that is a significant component of the Earth's atmosphere. It is naturally present in small amounts and essential for the process of photosynthesis in plants. However, human activities such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes have significantly increased \(\text{CO}_2\) levels.
Higher levels of \(\text{CO}_2\) trap more heat in the atmosphere, leading to a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect.
This contributes to global warming and climate change.

• Sources: Combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, certain industrial processes.
• Effects: Global warming, climate change, ocean acidification.

Understanding the role that carbon dioxide plays is crucial in developing strategies to mitigate climate change and protect the environment.

chlorofluorocarbons

Chlorofluorocarbons, commonly known as CFCs, are a group of man-made chemical compounds that contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They were once widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam production, and as propellants in aerosol sprays. Though effective in these applications, CFCs have serious environmental drawbacks.

• CFCs are potent greenhouse gases that contribute significantly to global warming.
• They have a long atmospheric lifetime, meaning they can persist in the atmosphere for decades.
• CFCs are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Due to their adverse effects, CFCs are now largely regulated and phased out under international agreements like the Montreal Protocol. However, the existing CFCs still pose environmental challenges that need ongoing attention.

ozone

Ozone (\(\text{O}_3\)) is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is found in two different layers of the Earth's atmosphere: the stratosphere and the troposphere.
In the stratosphere, ozone forms the ozone layer, which protects life on Earth by absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
However, ozone at ground level (in the troposphere) acts as a potent greenhouse gas and a major component of smog, which is harmful to human health.

• Stratospheric ozone: Protects organisms by blocking UV radiation.
• Tropospheric ozone: Contributes to global warming, respiratory problems, and smog.

The balance of ozone in the atmosphere is delicate. Human activities have affected this balance, reducing protective ozone in the stratosphere while increasing harmful tropospheric ozone. Understanding these effects is key in and how we can protect both human health and the environment.