Greenhouse gases differ from other atmospheric gases in that they have the ability to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect. This is due to their molecular structure, which allows them to absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, effectively trapping heat and warming the atmosphere. In contrast, other atmospheric gases do not have this same heat-trapping capability and do not contribute to the greenhouse effect. Some common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor.
