Consider the following which can be found in the ambient atmosphere: 1. Soot 2. Sulphur hexafluoride 3. Water vapour Which of the above contribute to the warming up of the atmosphere?

Correct Option (D): All three substances listed contribute to the warming of the atmosphere: - Soot (Black Carbon): Soot is a short-lived climate pollutant that absorbs solar radiation. This absorption leads to atmospheric heating and contributes to the melting of ice and snow, thereby accelerating global warming. - Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆): SF₆ is a powerful synthetic greenhouse gas with an extremely high Global Warming Potential (GWP). It has a very long atmospheric lifetime and is primarily used in industrial applications, such as electrical insulation. - Water vapour: Water vapour is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in the Earth's climate system. An increase in atmospheric temperature leads to more water evaporating, which then traps more heat, creating a positive feedback loop that amplifies warming. Incorrect Options: Option 1 is incorrect because it excludes water vapour, which is a major greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to atmospheric warming. Option 2 is incorrect as it omits both soot and sulphur hexafluoride, which are established contributors to atmospheric warming through different mechanisms. Option 3 is incorrect because it does not include soot, a significant short-lived climate pollutant that contributes to atmospheric heating.

IAS 2010 — Environment & Ecology Environment & Ecology

2010mcqmedium

Consider the following which can be found in the ambient atmosphere:

Soot
Sulphur hexafluoride
Water vapour

Which of the above contribute to the warming up of the atmosphere?

Official previous-year question

Verified 2 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B3 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option (D):

All three substances listed contribute to the warming of the atmosphere:

Soot (Black Carbon): Soot is a short-lived climate pollutant that absorbs solar radiation. This absorption leads to atmospheric heating and contributes to the melting of ice and snow, thereby accelerating global warming.
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆): SF₆ is a powerful synthetic greenhouse gas with an extremely high Global Warming Potential (GWP). It has a very long atmospheric lifetime and is primarily used in industrial applications, such as electrical insulation.
Water vapour: Water vapour is the most abundant natural greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. It plays a crucial role in the Earth's climate system. An increase in atmospheric temperature leads to more water evaporating, which then traps more heat, creating a positive feedback loop that amplifies warming.

Incorrect Options:

Option 1 is incorrect because it excludes water vapour, which is a major greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to atmospheric warming.

Option 2 is incorrect as it omits both soot and sulphur hexafluoride, which are established contributors to atmospheric warming through different mechanisms.

Option 3 is incorrect because it does not include soot, a significant short-lived climate pollutant that contributes to atmospheric heating.

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