Question

Which chemical compounds absorb large amounts of the sun's energy in the atmosphere? Select one: a. Nitrogen compounds, water vapor, and carbon compounds b. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and dust c. Methane, nitrogen compounds, and dust d. Nitrogen compounds, carbon compounds, and water vapor

Answer 1

Chemical compounds that absorb significant amounts of the sun's energy in the atmosphere are greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, along with dust particles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical compounds that absorb large amounts of the sun's energy in the Earth's atmosphere are primarily greenhouse gases. These include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These substances have the ability to absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range, which in turn warms the atmosphere. Although nitrogen and oxygen are the most abundant gases in the atmosphere, they do not absorb significant amounts of the sun's energy compared to greenhouse gases. Dust particles in the atmosphere can also absorb some solar energy, but not as significantly as greenhouse gases do. Therefore, the correct answer to the given options would be: b. Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and dust.

Answer 2

The Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of gases held in a layer surrounding the Earth. The sunlight that does reach the ground warms the Earth. The Earth's atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen, as well as some argon. From the given options, nitrogen compounds, water vapor and carbon compounds absorb large amounts of the Sun's energy in the atmosphere. (A)