Question: Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
A Carbon dioxide
B Sulphur dioxide
C Methane
D Nitrogen
Answer: Nitrogen
| Greenhouse Gas | Chemical Formula | Introduction | Major Sources | Role in Greenhouse Effect and Ozone Depletion | Global Warming Potential (GWP) |
| Carbon Dioxide | CO2 | A colorless, odorless gas formed from carbon and oxygen | Burning fossil fuels, deforestation | Enhances greenhouse effect, major contributor to global warming | 1 (baseline) |
| Methane | CH4 | A colorless, odorless gas consisting of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms | Agriculture, livestock, landfills, natural gas | Potent greenhouse gas | 25 over a 100-year period |
| Nitrous Oxide | N2O | A colorless gas made up of two nitrogen and one oxygen atom | Agricultural practices, industrial processes | Significant greenhouse gas | 298 over a 100-year period |
| Ozone | O3 | A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms | Formed in the upper atmosphere, photochemical reactions | Acts as a greenhouse gas, but varies regionally; also forms the ozone layer | Not commonly used for GWP |
| Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) | Various | Synthetic compounds containing chlorine, fluorine and carbon | Historical industrial and commercial uses | Depletes the ozone layer, potent greenhouse effect | Varies (e.g., hundreds to thousands) |
| Fluorinated Gases | Various | Synthetic gases containing fluorine and other elements | Industrial processes, refrigeration, electronics | Varies; some have high GWP | Varies (e.g., hundreds to thousands) |
|
Sulfur Dioxide |
SO2 | A colorless gas with a pungent odor, primarily produced from burning fossil fuels and industrial processes | Burning coal and oil, industrial emissions | Contributes to air pollution, respiratory issues, and can have a cooling effect on climate | Not commonly used for GWP |
| Water Vapors | H2O | Water in its gaseous state | Natural processes, human activities | Natural and complex interactions | Not assigned a GWP |