Which of these statements about greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect is not correct?
I. Greenhouse gases prevent infrared radiation from escaping through the atmosphere.
II. To absorb infrared radiation, a molecule must have a vibration that produces a change in
The dipole moment of the molecule.
III. Argon is the third most abundant species in the atmosphere (after nitrogen and oxygen) ,
And therefore is a significant greenhouse gas.
IV. The average amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases when fossil fuels are
Burned, but not when ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) produced from plants is burned.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Statement III is incorrect as argon is a non-reactive gas that does not have the ability to absorb or emit infrared radiation, hence it cannot contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect. Statements I and II are correct regarding greenhouse gases and the absorption of infrared radiation. Statement IV is partially correct as burning ethanol does release carbon dioxide, but since the carbon dioxide released comes from the carbon dioxide absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, it is considered a carbon-neutral process.

Which of These Statements About Greenhouse Gases and the Greenhouse