Question

Carbon dioxide is called a "greenhouse" gas, because

• A. It is involved in photosynthesis
• B. It emits light
• C. It traps infrared radiations
• D. It traps ultraviolet radiations

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

It traps infrared radiations

• There are certain gases in the atmosphere of the earth which can trap heat. These gases are called the greenhouse gases,
• The common gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and water vapour.
• These gases are able to capture and trap the heat in the atmosphere. The heat is in the form of infrared radiation.
• This entrapment of the infrared radiations causes rise in the temperature in the earth's atmosphere.

Thus, the correct answer is option C.