Question

Carbon dioxide is called as “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

Greenhouse effect is the process in which the sun radiations are absorbed by the greenhouse gases and are not reflected back into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Complete Answer:
Let us analyse the options to find the correct answer.

Option A: Carbon dioxide is involved in photosynthesis as it helps in production of sugar molecules and oxygen. But this is not related to the greenhouse gases, therefore, this is the incorrect option.
Option B: Carbon dioxide allows light to pass through it and it absorbs the heat energy. But it does not emit light, therefore, this is the incorrect option.
Option C: The gases which can trap heat are known as greenhouse gases. The examples of greenhouse gases are - Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, etc. Therefore, this is the correct option.
The greenhouse gases have the ability to capture heat in the form of infrared radiations which leads to increase in atmospheric temperature.
Option D: Greenhouse gases absorb infrared rays and not ultraviolet rays. Therefore, this is the incorrect option. The ultraviolet rays are emitted by the sun .

Thus, the correct option is ‘C’ It traps infrared radiations.

Note: The major causes of greenhouse effect are,

Deforestation - The trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, but when trees are cut, a huge amount of carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere.
Farming - The fertilizers used in farming are a good source of nitrous oxide.
Fossil fuels - When fossil fuels are burnt, a huge amount of carbon dioxide is generated.