An increase in which gas would cause the most greenhouse warming of Earth's atmosphere?

Question

a. nitrogen
b. oxygen
c. carbon dioxide
d. hydrogen

my teacher always says there is a difference between global warming and the greenhouse effect. I know that global warming is due to increased CO2 in the ozone layer. but what is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 1

Just a small correction to your question. CO2 concentrations are increasing throughout the atmosphere, not just the ozone layer, which is located in the stratosphere.
By the way, with no atmosphere, Earth's average temperature would be a chilly -18 ºC. The greenhouse effect is not a bad thing; it allows liquid water to exist on Earth, sustaining life. I prefer the term anthropogenic (human-induced) global warming because it clearly differentiates between natural and manmade causes.

Answer 2

"C" Carbon dioxide because of the gases you listed CO2 is the one that will trap heat in the atmosphere instead allowing it to radiate back out into space.

Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is caused by specific gasses in the atmosphere (mainly CO2, methane and water vapor). Without some greenhouse effect the earth would be a much colder place. Something more like on Mars! The problem is that human activity on our planet has caused an increase of CO2 and methane which amplifies the natural greenhouse effect that is caused by the composition of our atmosphere.

Answer 3

the greenhouse effect is when gasses in the atmosphere trap in heat from the sun. Global warming is its result.

cause ---> effect
Greenhouse ---> warming.

so the answer is CO2. (although methane is actually worse, but you didnt have that in the options)

h20 also contributes to trapping heat, but it usually exits the atmosphere in the watercycle.

Answer 4

technically the correct answer is none of the above. The gas that has the highest heat trapping capacity is SF_6.

See this link for other gases, look for the table
www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/downloads/ghg_gwp.pdf

Answer 5

I would like to answer this question, but Mr. Zwink has stated it perfectly.

Answer 6

c) carbon dioxide