9. Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
What percentage of nitrogen is in the atmosphere today?
78%
What percentage of oxygen is in the atmosphere today?
21%
What percentage of carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere today?
0.03%
What percentage of noble gases are in the atmosphere today?
1%
What was phase 1 of evolution of the atmosphere?
Volcanoes gave out gases
What was phase 2 of evolution of the atmosphere?
Green plants and algae absorbed carbon dioxide
What was phase 3 of evolution of the atmosphere?
Green plants and algae produced oxygen
What is the greenhouse effect?
UV radiation warms the earth surface -> earth emits infrared -> some gets trapped in earths atmosphere and some is remitted
What has a carbon footprint?
Pretty much everything
How to reduce carbon footprint?
Walk, eat less meat, use less electricity
What is the evidence for global warming?
- CO2
- Methane -> 2nd most abundant - produced by cows and sheep
- Nitrous oxide -> 3rd and produced by soil which is used more containing bacteria
What percentage does carbon dioxide contribute to global warming?
60%
What percentage does methane contribute to global warming?
16%
What percentage does nitrous oxide contribute to global warming?
4%
What percentage do other synthetic gases contribute to global warming?
10%
Is combustion an exothermic reaction?
Yes
What does combustion produce?
Carbon dioxide and water
What does incomplete combustion produce?
Carbon monoxide and water or carbon and water (soot)
What are potentially harming products combustion?
Water vapour, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and unburnt carbon
Why is carbon a harming effect of combustion?
Un burnt carbon is a particulate and a pollutant in the air
Why is carbon monoxide a harming effect of combustion?
It is toxic and has no smell
