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Water vapor and carbon dioxide are the two most significant greenhouse gases that absorb a large portion of Earth's outgoing radiation. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Gases can absorb radiation, where specific gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane can trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Gases can also scatter radiation, leading to phenomena like Rayleigh scattering in the atmosphere, which is responsible for the blue color of the sky.
Some of the gases found in our atmosphere which absorb infrared light are: carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. Gases found in our atmosphere which absorb ultraviolet light are ozone (O3) and oxygen gas (O2).
The ozone gas absorbs UV rays. It is present as ozone layer.These atmospheric gases, also referred to as greenhouse gases, absorb solar radiation and cause a rise in temperature.
Ozone (O3) in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UV-B and UV-C. This absorption plays a crucial role in protecting Earth's surface from harmful UV radiation. Additionally, certain greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide can also absorb some UV radiation in the upper atmosphere.
Gases in the atmosphere absorb radiation at different wavelengths. For example, water vapor and carbon dioxide absorb infrared radiation, while ozone absorbs ultraviolet radiation. The absorption of these different wavelengths of radiation plays a crucial role in the Earth's energy balance and climate system.