Question

Discuss briefly the following:
(a) Greenhouse gases
(b) Catalytic converter
(c) Ultraviolet B

Answer 1

(a) Greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide and are released through human activities like burning carbon-containing fossil fuels, land conversion, use of CFCs released appliances etc. These greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiations which in turn slow down the escape of heat back to space causing warming of the atmosphere.

(b) Catalytic converters convert the unburnt hydrocarbon into carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide from vehicle exhaust into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas.

(c) UV-B is electromagnetic radiation of a shorter wavelength that penetrates through ozone hole and stimulates skin ageing, darkening, and cancer.