Carbon dioxide and methane are categorized as what type of gases?

Carbon dioxide and methane are categorized as greenhouse gases because they have the ability to trap heat in the atmosphere, which contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect. This effect is crucial for maintaining the Earth's temperature, but an excess of these gases can lead to global warming and climate change. Greenhouse gases are primarily responsible for the warming of the planet because they absorb and emit infrared radiation.

In contrast, inert gases do not react readily with other substances, making them unreactive and not involved in atmospheric warming processes. Volatile organic compounds comprise a wide range of organic chemicals that can evaporate and participate in chemical reactions in the atmosphere but do not primarily contribute to the greenhouse effect. Heavy metals refer to metallic elements with high densities that can be toxic at low concentrations, and they do not fit into the classification of gases at all. Thus, the classification of carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases is accurate and aligns with their environmental impact regarding climate change.