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Question 35

Among the gases (a) - (e), the gases that cause greenhouse effect are:
(a) CO$$_2$$
(b) H$$_2$$O
(c) CFCs
(d) O$$_2$$
(e) O$$_3$$

We begin by recalling that a greenhouse gas is any atmospheric species that can absorb the Earth-emitted infrared radiation and then re-radiate part of that energy back toward the planet’s surface, thereby raising the average temperature. A necessary molecular property for such absorption is the presence of an electric dipole moment that can change during vibration; symmetrical homonuclear molecules like $$\mathrm{O_2}$$ lack this.

Now we examine each gas in the list one by one.

We have $$\mathrm{CO_2}$$. The molecule is linear but heteronuclear, and its asymmetric stretching as well as bending modes give rise to a time-varying dipole moment. Hence $$\mathrm{CO_2}$$ absorbs strongly in the 15 µm region of the infrared spectrum and unmistakably contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Next comes $$\mathrm{H_2O}$$ (water vapour). Because the molecule is bent and highly polar, almost all of its vibrational transitions are infrared-active. Therefore atmospheric $$\mathrm{H_2O}$$ is the single most important natural greenhouse gas.

We then consider chlorofluorocarbons, written here as $$\text{CFCs}$$. These compounds contain C-F and C-Cl bonds, both of which possess large dipole moments. Their vibrational frequencies conveniently coincide with the so-called atmospheric window (8-12 µm) where other natural gases absorb only weakly. Consequently, even minuscule concentrations of CFCs create a pronounced greenhouse effect.

Now we check $$\mathrm{O_2}$$. This molecule is homonuclear and completely symmetric, so all its normal modes preserve zero dipole moment. Mathematically, the transition dipole integral $$\mu_{if}=\int \psi_i^*\hat{\mu}\psi_f\,d\tau$$ becomes zero for every vibrational pair $$i,f$$. Hence $$\mathrm{O_2}$$ is essentially transparent to terrestrial infrared radiation and does not act as a greenhouse gas.

Finally we look at $$\mathrm{O_3}$$ (ozone). Ozone is bent like water; its asymmetric vibrations change the dipole moment, producing strong absorption in several infrared bands. Therefore $$\mathrm{O_3}$$ is also a greenhouse gas, though its main fame comes from absorbing harmful ultraviolet in the stratosphere.

Collecting the positive cases, we find that the gases causing the greenhouse effect are $$\mathrm{CO_2}$$, $$\mathrm{H_2O}$$, CFCs and $$\mathrm{O_3}$$, corresponding respectively to labels (a), (b), (c) and (e).

Option A lists (a), (b), (c) and (d), but (d) is $$\mathrm{O_2}$$, which we have shown is not a greenhouse gas. Option B lists exactly (a), (b), (c) and (e); this matches our derived set. Option C contains only (a) and (d); again (d) is unsuitable. Option D has (a), (c), (d) and (e), and once more includes $$\mathrm{O_2}$$ erroneously.

So only Option B is consistent with the scientific analysis.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

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