Question

what gases follow the same trend as temperature?
shown at right is a graph of the observed temperature increase over time. below are individual graphs of gas concentrations over time.
comparing the two, which gases seem to follow the temperature trend? select all that apply.
□ nitrogen □ oxygen □ argon □ water (humidity) □ carbon dioxide □ nitrous oxide □ methane □ helium □ neon
graphs: global temperatures, nitrogen (n₂) content of earths atmosphere, oxygen (o₂) content of earths atmosphere, argon (ar) concentration, specific humidity over land and ocean

Explanation:

To determine which gases follow the temperature trend (increasing over time), we analyze the gas concentration graphs:

• Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Helium, Neon: Their concentration graphs are flat (constant over time), so they do not follow the temperature trend.
• Water (Humidity): The specific humidity graph has fluctuations but no clear long - term increase matching the temperature's upward trend.
• Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide: These are greenhouse gases. Their concentrations in the atmosphere have been increasing over time (consistent with scientific knowledge about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change), and this upward trend matches the increasing trend of global temperature shown in the graph.

Answer:

Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide