The GP's somewhat cryptic statement about 3 atoms is explained better here:
https://climatescienceteaching.org/lesson/infrared-spectrosc...
Monatomic gases and diatomic molecules made of identical atoms (e.g. O2, N2) are not "active" with regard to infrared radiation. They are transparent to it. Almost all other molecules are "IR active," meaning that they can absorb IR radiation in ways that are characteristic of their vibrational modes. This includes the well known greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Greenhouse gases are those IR active molecules that have a significant residence time in the atmosphere and can thus partially trap IR radiation emitted from the Earth's surface.
Some substances are IR active but are not usually classified as greenhouse gases because they quickly break down in the environment. Other substances are IR active but not counted among greenhouse gases because they have a low vapor pressure and do not significantly make it into the atmosphere.