Environmental Studies · General Awareness
Greenhouse Gases and Atmosphere
1,262 Questions
Review important questions related to greenhouse gases, global warming, and atmospheric changes. The practice set focuses on identifying major pollutants and their environmental impact. These concepts are tested in the general awareness and environmental studies sections.
Greenhouse gas identificationGlobal warming processAtmospheric carbon dioxideMethane emissionsCement production emissions
Greenhouse Gases and Atmosphere Questions
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carbon monoxide
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carbon dioxide
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sulpher dioxide
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nitrous oxide
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming due to its abundance and long atmospheric lifetime. While other gases listed (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide) contribute to pollution or have greenhouse effects, CO2 from burning fossil fuels is the main driver of climate change.
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pollution from automobiles
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pollution from factories
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the Greenhouse Effect
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orbital eccentricities of Earth and variations in the Sun's output
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water vapor
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carbon dioxide
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carbon monoxide
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ozone-destroying aerosol sprays
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Water vapor is indeed the most abundant greenhouse gas and is responsible for the majority of Earth's natural greenhouse effect, keeping the planet warm enough for life. However, the question is misleading because human activities don't directly increase water vapor - instead, warming from CO2 causes more evaporation, creating a feedback loop. The primary driver of recent global warming is the increase in carbon dioxide from human activities.
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10% or greater
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less than 1/10th of 1%
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2% to 10%
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1%
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Carbon dioxide makes up about 0.04% (400 parts per million) of Earth's atmosphere, which is less than 1/10th of 1%. Despite this small concentration, CO2 is the most significant greenhouse gas emitted by human activities and is the primary driver of recent global warming. Other gases like nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) make up the vast majority of our atmosphere.
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Candles
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Compact fluorescent light bulbs
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Normal light bulbs
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None of the above
B
Correct answer
Explanation
CFL bulbs are the most environmentally friendly option because they use approximately 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Candles produce more emissions per unit of light output, and normal incandescent bulbs are highly inefficient.
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Carbon dioxide
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Freon
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Methane
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Ammonia
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Freon is the trade name for CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) commonly used as refrigerants in refrigerators and air conditioning systems. CFCs are potent greenhouse gases that also damage the ozone layer. Carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia are not CFCs - CO2 is a natural greenhouse gas, methane is from organic decomposition, and ammonia is a different refrigerant.
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A clean and smokeless fuel
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Slurry left behind is used as fish feed
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High potential in rural India
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Biogas offers multiple advantages: it burns cleanly without smoke (A), the fermented slurry is rich in nutrients and can be used as fish feed or fertilizer (B), and it has high potential in rural India where raw materials are readily available (C). Since all three statements are correct, 'All of the above' is the right choice.
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Carbon dioxide
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Freon
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Methane
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Ammonia
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Freon is the trade name for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) commonly used as refrigerants in refrigerators and air conditioning systems. Carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia are not CFCs - methane and CO2 are greenhouse gases, while ammonia is a different refrigerant. CFCs are potent greenhouse gases due to their high global warming potential.
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Ammonia
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Hydrogen sulphide
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Carbon Monoxide
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Methane
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Methane (CH4) is produced in all the listed sources: landfills, anaerobic decomposition in marshes and paddy fields, by ruminant animals during digestion, and by termites. It is also released during biomass burning. Methane has 21-25 times more global warming potential than CO2 over 100 years, making it a potent greenhouse gas.
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methane
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sulfer
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carbon dioxide
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oxygen
A
Correct answer
Explanation
After carbon dioxide (the most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas), methane is considered the second most significant greenhouse gas due to its high global warming potential - about 28 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat over 100 years. Sulfur is not a greenhouse gas, and oxygen is not a greenhouse gas at all.
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Oxygen
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Carbon Dioxide
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Helium
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nitrogen
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas, trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere and contributing to global warming. Oxygen and nitrogen make up most of our atmosphere but are not greenhouse gases - they don't absorb infrared radiation. Helium is a noble gas and also not a greenhouse gas.
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, produced by burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Options A (O2 - oxygen), B (N2 - nitrogen), and C (H2 - hydrogen) are not major greenhouse gases.
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Oxygen
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Carbon Dioxide
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Aluminum
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Nitrogen
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), and trace gases like Carbon Dioxide. Aluminum is a metallic element found in the Earth's crust, not a gas or constituent of the atmosphere.
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Water vapour
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Methane
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Carbon dioxide
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Ozone
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Carbon dioxide is the primary driver of anthropogenic climate change due to its massive emission volumes from human activities and long atmospheric lifetime. While water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas overall, CO2 has the biggest impact from human activities.
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Carbon dioxide
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oxygen
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Nitrogen
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None
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The air we breathe is approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases (argon, carbon dioxide, etc.). So nitrogen is the most common gas, making oxygen the second most common. Carbon dioxide, while important for climate, makes up only about 0.04% of the atmosphere.