Question
why are molecules like oxygen gas o2 and nitrogen gas n2 not greenhouse gases? A. Infrared radiation is absorbed and remitted by these molecules B. Oxygen and nitrogen have asymmetric vibration when struck by infrared radiation C. Oxygen and nitrogen are tightly bound and cannot vibrate in a way to absorb energy D. The molecules are made up of three atoms
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is **C. Oxygen and nitrogen are tightly bound and cannot vibrate in a way to absorb energy.**
Greenhouse gases are effective at absorbing and emitting infrared radiation due to their molecular structure, which allows for vibrations that can interact with that radiation. Oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂) are diatomic molecules and have symmetric molecular structures. These structures do not have the necessary vibrational modes to absorb infrared radiation, which is why they are not considered greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases are effective at absorbing and emitting infrared radiation due to their molecular structure, which allows for vibrations that can interact with that radiation. Oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂) are diatomic molecules and have symmetric molecular structures. These structures do not have the necessary vibrational modes to absorb infrared radiation, which is why they are not considered greenhouse gases.