Question
Why are molecules like oxygen gas, O2, and nitrogen gas, N2, not greenhouse gases?(1 point) Responses The molecules are made up of three atoms. The molecules are made up of three atoms. Infrared radiation is absorbed and remitted by these molecules. Infrared radiation is absorbed and remitted by these molecules. Oxygen and nitrogen are tightly bound and cannot vibrate in a way to absorb energy. Oxygen and nitrogen are tightly bound and cannot vibrate in a way to absorb energy. Oxygen and nitrogen have asymmetric vibration when struck by infrared radiation.
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GPT-4o mini
The correct response is: **Oxygen and nitrogen are tightly bound and cannot vibrate in a way to absorb energy.**
This means that while these molecules are diatomic and abundant in the atmosphere, their molecular structure does not allow them to effectively absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, which is the mechanism by which greenhouse gases trap heat. Greenhouse gases typically have molecular structures that allow for vibration modes that can interact with infrared radiation, such as water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
This means that while these molecules are diatomic and abundant in the atmosphere, their molecular structure does not allow them to effectively absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, which is the mechanism by which greenhouse gases trap heat. Greenhouse gases typically have molecular structures that allow for vibration modes that can interact with infrared radiation, such as water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).