Question

procedure:
set the flashlight to emit infrared photons.
click on the bottom right where it says \slow\ (you will be counting the amount of infrared
that are captured by the molecule).
in your group of 2, each person should select 2 - 3 of these gasses (ch₄, co₂, h₂o, & n₂
ons move towards the molecule.
out of 10 photons. (if a particular molecule absorbs infrared, it will begin to vibrate with
mit the photon back out in a random direction, causing the molecule to stop vibrating until it

1. rank the gasses from the most powerful

greenhouse gas to the least. (most heat
absorbing to least heat absorbing):
h₂o > ch₄ > co₂ > n₂ = o₂
able. the global warming potential (gwp) is a measure
s absorbs, compared to 1 ton of co₂.
our results are similar because...
has higher gwp
our results are different because...
factors like atmospheric lifetime

Explanation:

The ranking of greenhouse gases from most to least powerful in terms of heat - absorbing capacity is based on their ability to absorb infrared radiation. Water vapor ($H_2O$) is a very effective greenhouse gas as it has multiple vibrational modes that can absorb infrared. Methane ($CH_4$) has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) over a 100 - year period due to its molecular structure and ability to absorb in specific infrared wavelengths. Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is well - known for its role in the greenhouse effect, although its GWP is lower than that of $CH_4$ on a per - molecule basis over a 100 - year period (but its large atmospheric concentration makes it a major contributor). Nitrogen ($N_2$) and oxygen ($O_2$) are not greenhouse gases as their symmetric molecular structures do not allow for significant infrared absorption.

Answer:

$H_2O>CH_4 > CO_2>N_2 = O_2$