Burning fossil fuels contributes to the accumulation of which gases in the atmosphere?

The accumulation of gases in the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels prominently includes carbon dioxide and methane. When fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are burned, they release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming and climate change. This process also releases methane, especially during the extraction and combustion of natural gas. Both of these gases have long-term effects on the atmosphere, leading to increased greenhouse gas concentrations, which trap heat and alter global climate patterns.

Carbon dioxide is a direct byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, while methane can be released from the entire lifecycle of fossil fuels, including extraction, processing, and burning. The prominence of these two gases highlights the environmental impact of fossil fuel use, making the response regarding their accumulation accurate and relevant.

Other options include different combinations of gases that either do not primarily result from fossil fuel combustion or are not significant contributors to atmospheric changes when fossil fuels are burned. For example, ozone is not a direct byproduct of combustion, and while nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, nitrogen emissions from fossil fuel combustion mainly contribute to air quality issues rather than global warming.