Question

imagine a giant blanket wrapped around earth, trapping heat from the sun. what causes this blanket effect? the thermosphere, the layer of the atmosphere closest to space nitrogen, the most abundant gas in the air but which traps little heat oxygen, the gas put off by plants that allows all animals to breathe easily greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and water vapor, which trap heat

Explanation:

The greenhouse effect is caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, similar to a blanket. The thermosphere is the layer closest to space but does not cause the blanket - like heat - trapping effect. Nitrogen, although abundant, traps little heat. Oxygen is for respiration and not related to the heat - trapping "blanket" effect described.

Answer:

greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and water vapor, which trap heat