Which one of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas found naturally in the atmosphere?

The correct answer is Nitrogen oxide.

Key Points

• Greenhouse gases(GHGs) are a group of compounds that are responsible for absorbing heat (longwave radiation) in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth's surface warmer by allowing direct sunlight (relative short wave energy) to reach the Earth’s surface.
• Most Prominent Green House Gases:
  • Water vapour
  • Carbon Dioxide, CO2
  • Methane, CH4
  • Nitrous Oxide, N₂O (and NOT Nitrogen Oxide)
  • Ozone, O3
• Other GHGs are carbon monoxide, fluorinated gases, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), black carbon (soot), and brown carbon.
• Amongst all the greenhouse gases, only water vapour can absorb both incoming (UV) and outgoing (infrared) radiation.
• If GHG emissions remain unchecked, by the end of this century, the global temperatures may increase by 5^oC, causing global warming.