Molecule for molecule, how does methane compare with carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas?

It traps less heat and stays in the air longerCorrect answerYour answerIt traps exactly the same amount of heatCorrect answerYour answerIt does not trap heat at allCorrect answerYour answerIt traps much more heat, but stays in the air for a much shorter timeCorrect answerYour answer

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CorrectNot quiteAnswer D

Correct answer: D

Each methane molecule absorbs far more heat than a carbon dioxide molecule; over a century it has several tens of times the warming effect per kilogram.
But methane breaks down in about a decade, while carbon dioxide lingers for centuries.

Concept: Comparing greenhouse gases
Typical timeTypical: 60 s
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The rule this testsOzone layer and greenhouse effect

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Ten questions from Pollution, Climate and Conventions, at your own pace.

Molecule for molecule, how does methane compare with carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas?

Explanation