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What is the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of HFC-134a?

  1. 1000

  2. 1430

  3. 1800

  4. 2400

The correct answer is: 1430

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of a greenhouse gas indicates its ability to trap heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide (CO2) over a specific time period, usually 100 years. HFC-134a (1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane) is a hydrofluorocarbon commonly used in refrigeration and aerosol propellants. The GWP of HFC-134a is calculated based on its radiative efficiency and atmospheric lifetime. With a GWP of 1430, it exhibits a significant warming effect compared to CO2, which has a GWP of 1. This means that over the span of a century, one kilogram of HFC-134a has the warming potential equivalent to 1430 kilograms of CO2. Understanding the GWP is crucial for assessing the climate impact of refrigerants and guiding regulatory decisions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The GWP value of 1430 underscores the importance of finding alternatives to HFC-134a in order to mitigate global warming effects.