Which of the following is not known as greenhouse gas ?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

WBSSC Group D Official Paper (Held On: 19 Feb, 2017)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Hydrogen.

Key Points

Hydrogen is not considered a greenhouse gas because it does not trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere like other greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), absorb and emit infrared radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Hydrogen, while being a critical element in energy discussions, primarily acts as a clean energy carrier rather than directly affecting atmospheric heat retention.
The principal greenhouse gases identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) include CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and fluorinated gases.

Additional Information

Greenhouse Effect:
- The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, maintaining the planet's temperature.
- Without the greenhouse effect, Earth's average temperature would be much colder, making it uninhabitable.
Major Greenhouse Gases:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Released primarily through burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.
- Methane (CH₄): Emitted during agricultural activities, livestock digestion, and decomposition of organic waste in landfills.
- Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Produced from agricultural and industrial activities, as well as combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.
Hydrogen's Role in Energy:
- Hydrogen is a clean energy source when used in fuel cells, producing water as its only byproduct.
- It is being explored as a key component in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and achieving net-zero emissions goals.
Fluorinated Gases:
- Fluorinated gases (e.g., hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons) are synthetic greenhouse gases used in industrial applications.
- Though present in smaller quantities, they have a much higher global warming potential (GWP) compared to CO₂.