What are gases like water vapor, CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide referred to as?

Gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide are referred to as greenhouse gases because they have the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. This process is fundamental to the greenhouse effect, which is a natural mechanism that warms the Earth’s surface. Without greenhouse gases, our planet would be too cold to sustain life as we know it.

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth’s surface and re-radiate it in all directions. This warming effect is crucial for maintaining the Earth's temperature; however, an excess of these gases, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, contributes to global warming and climate change.

Other options are not applicable in this context. Ozone gases primarily refer to ozone in the stratosphere, which protects against UV radiation, while "solar gases" and "stomach gases" do not pertain to the gases that influence climate and atmospheric temperature. Thus, the classification of water vapor, CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide as greenhouse gases highlights their significant role in environmental science and climate change discussions.