Concept:Greenhouse gases trap heat by absorbing infrared radiation. Inert gases like helium do not possess this ability.Explanation:Major greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, CFCs and ozone.Helium is a noble gas – it is chemically unreactive and does not absorb infrared radiation.Hence helium does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.The table below shows the absorption percentages of important greenhouse gases.
Gas
Value of absorption in percentage
Ozone
10.2 %
Methane
16.3 %
Carbon Dioxide
56.4 %
Nitro Oxide
5.4 %
Helium is absent from this list and does not act as a greenhouse gas.
