Question

which two are greenhouse gases involved in downwelling infrared radiation?

□ ozone

□ nitrogen

□ carbon monoxide

□ methane

□ water vapor

Explanation:

1. Ozone ($O_3$) absorbs and emits infrared radiation, contributing to downwelling infrared radiation as a greenhouse gas.
2. Nitrogen ($N_2$) is a diatomic molecule that does not interact with infrared radiation, so it is not a greenhouse gas.
3. Carbon monoxide (CO) has very weak infrared absorption properties and is not considered a significant greenhouse gas in this context.
4. Methane ($CH_4$) is a potent greenhouse gas that absorbs outgoing terrestrial infrared radiation and re-emits downwelling infrared radiation back to the surface.
5. Water vapor ($H_2O$) is the most abundant greenhouse gas, strongly absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation to produce downwelling infrared radiation.

Answer:

D. methane, E. water vapor