Question

Which is not a greenhouse gas?

• A. Methane
• B. Hydrogen
• C. Carbon dioxide
• D. Chlorofluorocarbons

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Hydrogen

The explanation for the correct option:

(B) Hydrogen

• A greenhouse gas is a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation.
• The greenhouse effect is the trapping of the sun's heat in a planet's lower troposphere in order to keep Earth warm and protect it from cosmic cold winds. An increase in greenhouse gases increases heat, giving rise to global warming.
• Hydrogen gas is not a greenhouse gas as it does not absorb any sort of heat.

The explanation for incorrect options:

(A) Methane

• Methane is one of the major greenhouse gas.
• It reacts with atmospheric water vapor or oxygen forming carbon dioxide which increases the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere.
• About an $30\%$increase in global warming is observed due to methane.

(C) Carbon Dioxide

• Carbon dioxide is a huge impact on global warming and is a greenhouse gas.
• The emission of this gas is mostly due to human activities like the burning of fossil fuels, emissions from automobiles, etc.
• Carbon dioxide is an air pollutant as well.

(D) Chlorofluorocarbons

• Chlorofluorocarbons are present in small quantities but are one of the most powerful greenhouse gas.
• It is around$10,000$ times harmful and it destroys the ozone layer present in the stratosphere.
• It absorbs heat in the lower atmosphere hence increasing temperature and global warming.

Hence, option B) Hydrogen is the correct option.