How are greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane different from other atmospheric gases like nitrogen and oxygen?

a. greenhouse gases absorb thermal energy from the sun and re-radiate it, whereas other atmospheric gases do not.
b. greenhouse gases are more efficient at absorbing thermal energy and re-radiating it than the other atmospheric gases.
c. greenhouse gases are found at higher levels of the atmosphere, where ozone is found.
d. greenhouse gases are found at lower levels of the atmosphere, where ozone is found.

B. Greenhouse gases are more efficient at absorbing thermal energy and re-radiating it than the other atmospheric gases.

Explanation:

Without the greenhouse effect, Earth’s temperature would be below freezing point. It is a part of natural phenomenon. But the excess of this effect can be dangerous for the survival of life in the earth.

The excess warming of planet earth due to increase in the greenhouse gases beyond a safe limit leads to rise in climatic temperature and messes with the ecosystem.

When the irradiation from the sun gets reflected back by the earth through its atmosphere then the greenhouse gases present around there absorb and re-radiate it back to the earth.Being more complex than other gas molecules in the atmosphere, the greenhouse gases have a structure that has tendency to absorb heat.The major greenhouse gasses are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide.These gas molecules all are made of three or more atoms which are held together loosely enough that they vibrate when they absorb heat. These vibrating molecules release the radiation, which will likely be absorbed by another greenhouse gas molecule. This process keeps heat near the Earth’s surface.