Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change part 1

1. Which one of the following is not a green house gas? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

(a) Chlorofluorocarbon
(b) Carbon Dioxide
(c) Argon
(d) Methane

Correct Answer: (c) Argon

Solution:Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases emitted from earth trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the earth. The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapour (which all occur naturally), and fluorinated gases (which are synthetic). Argon is not a green house gas.

A greenhouse is a structure whose roof and walls are made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown. In a greenhouse, the incident solar radiation (the visible and adjacent portions of the infrared and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum) passes through the glass roof and walls and is absorbed by the floor, earth, and contents, which become warmer and re-emit the energy as longer-wavelength infrared radiation (heat radiation). Glass and other materials used for greenhouse walls do not transmit infrared radiation, so the infrared cannot escape via radiative transfer. As the structure is not open to the atmosphere, heat also cannot escape via convection, so the temperature inside the greenhouse rises. This is known as the 'greenhouse effect'.

2. What is 'Green House Effect'? [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2018]

(a) Increase in global temperature
(b) Decrease in global temperature
(c) Increase in seawater temperature
(d) Increase in temperature of river and lakes

Correct Answer: (a) Increase in global temperature

Solution:Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases emitted from earth trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the earth. The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapour (which all occur naturally), and fluorinated gases (which are synthetic). Argon is not a green house gas.

A greenhouse is a structure whose roof and walls are made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown. In a greenhouse, the incident solar radiation (the visible and adjacent portions of the infrared and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum) passes through the glass roof and walls and is absorbed by the floor, earth, and contents, which become warmer and re-emit the energy as longer-wavelength infrared radiation (heat radiation). Glass and other materials used for greenhouse walls do not transmit infrared radiation, so the infrared cannot escape via radiative transfer. As the structure is not open to the atmosphere, heat also cannot escape via convection, so the temperature inside the greenhouse rises. This is known as the 'greenhouse effect'.

3. Which one among the following substances does not contribute to global warming directly? [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2023]

(a) Oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen
(b) Methane
(c) Carbon dioxide
(d) Water vapour

Correct Answer: (a) Oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen

Solution:Oxide of Sulphur and Nitrogen does not contribute to global warming directly, while other gases given in option contribute to global warming. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) primarily affect air quality and can contribute to acid rain. However, SO₂ can also form aerosols, which reflect sunlight and have a cooling effect. NOₓ plays a role in the formation of tropospheric ozone, a greenhouse gas, and can also reduce methane (CH₄) levels, leading to both warming and cooling effects.

4. Which one of the following is not a green house gas found naturally in the atmosphere? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(a) Nitrogen oxide
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Methane
(d) Ozone

Correct Answer: (a) Nitrogen oxide

Solution:Green house gas has the property of absorbing infrared radiation emitted from earth's surface and reradiating it back to earth's surface. Carbon dioxide, Methane (produced by paddy fields), ozone and water vapour are the most important green house gases, found naturally in atmosphere. Nitrogen Oxide is not a green house gas found naturally in the atmosphere.

5. The gas which is produced by Paddy fields and is involved in global warming is? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Nitrogen
(b) Methane
(c) Carbon dioxide
(d) Hydrogen sulphide

Correct Answer: (b) Methane

Solution:Green house gas has the property of absorbing infrared radiation emitted from earth's surface and reradiating it back to earth's surface. Carbon dioxide, Methane (produced by paddy fields), ozone and water vapour are the most important green house gases, found naturally in atmosphere. Nitrogen Oxide is not a green house gas found naturally in the atmosphere.

6. Which set of the following gases is most important for the greenhouse effect? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Carbon dioxide, Methane, Chlorine, Nitric oxide.
(b) Nitric oxide, Methane, Ethane, Chlorfluoro Carbons.
(c) Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Water vapour
(d) Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur dioxide, Methane, Water vapour

Correct Answer: (c) Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Water vapour

Solution:When the earth starts frosting after getting heat from the sun, then the heat is dissipated out of the earth. But gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapour and methane absorb some part of this heat in return of which some additional heat is collected in the lower part of the atmosphere. Over the past few years, due to increase in the amount of these gases in the atmosphere, the average temperature of the atmosphere has increased which is called global warming or greenhouse effect and the above- mentioned gases are called greenhouse gases.

7. Which one of the following gas is responsible for global warming? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

(a) Only Oxygen
(b) Oxygen and Carbon dioxide
(c) carbon dioxide and Methane
(d) Only methane

Correct Answer: (c) carbon dioxide and Methane

Solution:When the earth starts frosting after getting heat from the sun, then the heat is dissipated out of the earth. But gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapour and methane absorb some part of this heat in return of which some additional heat is collected in the lower part of the atmosphere. Over the past few years, due to increase in the amount of these gases in the atmosphere, the average temperature of the atmosphere has increased which is called global warming or greenhouse effect and the above- mentioned gases are called greenhouse gases.

8. Which of the following is responsible for global warming? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Methane
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Water vapour
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above

Solution:When the earth starts frosting after getting heat from the sun, then the heat is dissipated out of the earth. But gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapour and methane absorb some part of this heat in return of which some additional heat is collected in the lower part of the atmosphere. Over the past few years, due to increase in the amount of these gases in the atmosphere, the average temperature of the atmosphere has increased which is called global warming or greenhouse effect and the above- mentioned gases are called greenhouse gases.

9. The Gases most responsible for Global Warming are : [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]

(a) Carbon-dioxide and Methane
(b) Ammonia and Butane
(c) Radon and Nitrogen
(d) Ozone and hydrogen Chloride

Correct Answer: (a) Carbon-dioxide and Methane

Solution:When the earth starts frosting after getting heat from the sun, then the heat is dissipated out of the earth. But gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapour and methane absorb some part of this heat in return of which some additional heat is collected in the lower part of the atmosphere. Over the past few years, due to increase in the amount of these gases in the atmosphere, the average temperature of the atmosphere has increased which is called global warming or greenhouse effect and the above- mentioned gases are called greenhouse gases.

10. Which one of the following is not a greenhouse gas? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Methane
(c) Propane
(d) Ozone

Correct Answer: (c) Propane

Solution:The primary greenhouse gases are - Water Vapour, Carbon dioxide Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Chlorofluorocarbons and Ozone. Substituting Propane for other fuels such as gasoline and fuel oil is an economical and viable step towards cleaner air. Using Propane reduces greenhouse gas like Carbon- dioxide and air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.