Answer: Each gas in the atmosphere indeed interacts with energy in unique ways. Here’s a summary of how some key gases interact with energy:
Water Vapor (H2O): It absorbs heat and re-emits infrared radiation, contributing to the warming of the atmosphere.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): This gas also absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, playing a significant role in the greenhouse effect.
Methane (CH4): Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can absorb a lot of heat, although it’s present in smaller quantities than CO22.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Similar to other greenhouse gases, it absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to atmospheric warming.
Ozone (O3): In the stratosphere, ozone absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, whereas in the troposphere, it acts as a greenhouse gas.
These gases help to maintain the Earth’s temperature by trapping heat through the greenhouse effect. The balance between incoming energy from the Sun and outgoing energy from the Earth is crucial for maintaining a stable climate