Solution: Greenhouse gases absorb (and trap) outgoing

Chapter 10, Problem 10.106

(choose chapter or problem)

Greenhouse gases absorb (and trap) outgoing infrared radiation (heat) from Earth and contribute to global warming. The molecule of a greenhouse gas either possesses a permanent dipole moment or has a changing dipole moment during its vibrational motions. Consider three of the vibrational modes of carbon dioxide OPCPO OPCPO OPCPO g m n n nm h h where the arrows indicate the movement of the atoms. (During a complete cycle of vibration, the atoms move toward one extreme position and then reverse their direction to the other extreme position.) Which of the preceding vibrations are responsible for CO2 to behave as a greenhouse gas? Which of the following molecules can act as a greenhouse gas: N2, O2, CO, NO2, and N2O?