Which of the following gases is primarily responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect?

The enhanced greenhouse effect is primarily driven by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, with carbon dioxide being the most significant among them. Carbon dioxide is released through various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for energy, deforestation, and industrial processes. These activities have increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere beyond natural levels, contributing to global warming and climate change.

Unlike oxygen and nitrogen, which make up the majority of the Earth's atmosphere and do not contribute to the greenhouse effect in significant ways, carbon dioxide has a unique ability to trap heat. Its molecular structure allows it to absorb and re-radiate infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, effectively insulating the planet and increasing its average temperature.

Argon, while present in the atmosphere, is an inert gas that does not react chemically and has no role in the greenhouse effect. Therefore, while oxygen, nitrogen, and argon are important components of the atmosphere, they do not contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect like carbon dioxide does. This highlights the critical role of carbon dioxide in climate dynamics and the importance of addressing its emissions to mitigate climate change.