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Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere?
- a)Water vapour
- b)Nitrous oxide
- c)Methane
- d)Sulphur hexafluoride
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle ...
- Water vapour is a very effective absorber of heat energy in the air, but it does not accumulate in the atmosphere in the same way as the other greenhouse gases. This is down to it having a very short atmospheric lifetime, of the order of hours to days because it is rapidly removed as rain and snow.
- Nitrous oxide is destroyed in the stratosphere and removed from the atmosphere more slowly than methane, persisting for around 114 years.
- Methane is mostly removed from the atmosphere by chemical reaction, persisting for about 12 years. Thus, although methane is a potent greenhouse gas, its effect is relatively short-lived.
- SF6 is included in the Kyoto Protocol because, molecule-for-molecule, it is a powerful greenhouse gas with a long (>1000 years) lifetime in the atmosphere. The signatory nations are thus committed to controlling the rate of its production.
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Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle ...
Longest Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas in the Atmosphere
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is the greenhouse gas with the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere.
Explanation
SF6 is a synthetic gas that is primarily used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage transmission and distribution equipment. It has an extremely high global warming potential (GWP) of 23,500 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year timescale.
SF6 is not naturally occurring in the atmosphere, but it is emitted through human activities such as the production, maintenance, and disposal of electrical equipment. Once emitted, SF6 has a very long atmospheric lifetime of up to 3,200 years. This means that even small amounts of SF6 emissions can have a significant impact on global warming over a long period of time.
The long lifecycle of SF6 in the atmosphere is due to its ability to resist degradation by atmospheric processes such as photolysis, oxidation, and hydrolysis. SF6 molecules are also very stable and do not react easily with other molecules in the atmosphere.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SF6 is the greenhouse gas with the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere due to its synthetic nature, high global warming potential, and resistance to atmospheric degradation. It is important to reduce SF6 emissions through the use of alternative technologies and practices to mitigate its impact on climate change.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is the greenhouse gas with the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere.
Explanation
SF6 is a synthetic gas that is primarily used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage transmission and distribution equipment. It has an extremely high global warming potential (GWP) of 23,500 times that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year timescale.
SF6 is not naturally occurring in the atmosphere, but it is emitted through human activities such as the production, maintenance, and disposal of electrical equipment. Once emitted, SF6 has a very long atmospheric lifetime of up to 3,200 years. This means that even small amounts of SF6 emissions can have a significant impact on global warming over a long period of time.
The long lifecycle of SF6 in the atmosphere is due to its ability to resist degradation by atmospheric processes such as photolysis, oxidation, and hydrolysis. SF6 molecules are also very stable and do not react easily with other molecules in the atmosphere.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SF6 is the greenhouse gas with the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere due to its synthetic nature, high global warming potential, and resistance to atmospheric degradation. It is important to reduce SF6 emissions through the use of alternative technologies and practices to mitigate its impact on climate change.
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Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere? a) Water vapourb) Nitrous oxidec) Methaned) Sulphur hexafluorideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere? a) Water vapourb) Nitrous oxidec) Methaned) Sulphur hexafluorideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere? a) Water vapourb) Nitrous oxidec) Methaned) Sulphur hexafluorideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere? a) Water vapourb) Nitrous oxidec) Methaned) Sulphur hexafluorideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere? a) Water vapourb) Nitrous oxidec) Methaned) Sulphur hexafluorideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which among the following greenhouse gases has the longest lifecycle in the atmosphere? a) Water vapourb) Nitrous oxidec) Methaned) Sulphur hexafluorideCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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