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Multiple Choice
How would you respond to this reasoning? Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas; therefore, gases containing oxygen—such as ozone, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide—are not greenhouse gases either.
A
True. It is impossible for a gas containing oxygen to be a greenhouse gas.
B
True. Because oxygen is not a greenhouse gas, it is unlikely to combine with anything at a higher level of organization to form a greenhouse gas.
C
True. Compounds display emergent properties that are very similar to those of the elements that form them.
D
False. Compounds can have emergent properties that are very different from those of the elements that form them.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the concept of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are those that can trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Common examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Recognize that the presence of oxygen in a compound does not determine its ability to act as a greenhouse gas. The greenhouse effect is related to the molecular structure and the ability of the gas to absorb infrared radiation.
Consider the concept of emergent properties. Emergent properties are characteristics that arise from the combination of elements in a compound, which can be different from the properties of the individual elements themselves.
Evaluate the statement that compounds containing oxygen cannot be greenhouse gases. This is incorrect because compounds like ozone (O3), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) are indeed greenhouse gases, despite containing oxygen.
Conclude that the reasoning provided in the problem is false. Compounds can exhibit emergent properties that differ significantly from the properties of the elements that constitute them, allowing them to function as greenhouse gases even if oxygen itself is not one.