Question

Sort the following gases by whether they are transparent to incoming short-wavelength UV radiation or whether they absorb longer wavelength terrestrial re-radiation.
O2
N2
CH4
H2O
CO2
Ar
Categories
Absorb No Radiation Absorb Re-Radiation

Answer 1

Answer:

Short wavelength UV radiation ----Oxygen (O2 ), nitrogen (N2) , methane (CH4) , water (H2O)  and carbondioxide (CO2).

longer wavelength radiation---- methane (CH4) , water (H2O)  and carbondioxide (CO2)

Explanation:

Oxygen (O2 ), nitrogen (N2) , methane (CH4) , water (H2O)  and carbondioxide (CO2) are the gases which are transparent for incoming short-wavelength UV radiation while  methane (CH4) , water (H2O)  and carbondioxide (CO2) are the greenhouse gases which absorb longer wavelength. When the solar radiation comes to the earth, it has short wavelength but after reflection it converts into longer wavelength which can be prevent by greenhouse gases and increases the temperature of atmosphere.