Which gas is predominantly responsible for enhancing the greenhouse effect and causing global warming on Earth?

Introduction / Context:
Global warming and climate change are among the most important environmental issues of our time. Several gases in the atmosphere trap heat and are called greenhouse gases. This question asks which gas is predominantly responsible for human driven global warming.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on the predominant gas linked with global warming.
• Options include several gases found in the atmosphere.
• We assume basic understanding of greenhouse gases from school science.

Concept / Approach:
Carbon dioxide is the most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas because of the large amounts released by burning fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial activities. It traps outgoing infrared radiation and increases the greenhouse effect. Other gases like methane and nitrous oxide are also powerful greenhouse gases, but the question asks for the gas predominantly responsible, which in common teaching is carbon dioxide. Gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide have other roles in air pollution but are not identified as the main driver of global warming in basic textbooks.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the list of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapour. Step 2: Note that the largest increase due to human activities has been in carbon dioxide levels from burning coal, oil and gas. Step 3: Match this knowledge with the options and identify carbon dioxide as the gas most closely linked to global warming discussions. Step 4: Confirm that carbon dioxide is the gas mentioned most often in climate change reports and agreements.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of international efforts such as the Paris Agreement and national climate policies. They focus heavily on cutting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, transport and industry. While other gases matter too, this emphasis supports the choice of carbon dioxide as the predominant gas responsible for global warming in school level questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, carbon monoxide, is a poisonous gas that affects human health but is not the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Option B, nitrous oxide, is a greenhouse gas but is present in much smaller amounts than carbon dioxide and is not described as the predominant one in basic texts. Option C, nitrogen dioxide, is an air pollutant that forms smog and acid rain but is not a major greenhouse gas. Option E, ozone, acts as a protective shield in the upper atmosphere and as a pollutant at ground level, but is not the primary gas blamed for global warming in most school discussions.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide because their names are similar. A good way to avoid this is to remember that carbon dioxide has two oxygen atoms and is the gas plants use in photosynthesis, whereas carbon monoxide is a toxic gas from incomplete combustion. For climate questions, carbon dioxide is usually the central greenhouse gas to remember.

Final Answer:
The gas predominantly responsible for global warming is Carbon dioxide.