Q. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas? (1) Carbon dioxide (2) Sulphur dioxide (3) Methane (4) Nitrogen.
Ans. The answer is Nitrogen.
Greenhouse gases are a subset of gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This effect is responsible for the so-called greenhouse effect and global warming. The most prevalent greenhouse gas is water vapour, which is mostly present in the atmosphere as a result of evaporation.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) – is the most important greenhouse gas.Long-lived carbon dioxide is emitted from industries that use coal and oil, as well as by changes in land use and forest fires.
Methane (CH4) – is also a greenhouse gas. It is produced by livestock, natural gas and petroleum systems, and landfills.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) – is a major air pollutant that is also a greenhouse gas. Sulphur dioxide comes from the burning of coal and oil. Emissions are reducing as a result of the Clean Air Act, but they are still too high.
Nitrogen has no effect on global warming either way because nitrogen is an inert gas that does not react with other substances or affect the climate in any way whatsoever.
Hence, Nitrogen is not a greenhouse gas.