Air and Water

Question 1

When did the earth form?

Answer 1

4.6 billion years ago

Question 2

what is the most plentiful gas in the atmosphere today and what percentage of the atmosphere is it?

Answer 2

N2 - 78%

Question 3

what is the second most plentiful gas in the atmosphere today and what percentage of the atmosphere is it?

Answer 3

O2 - 21%

Question 4

How is carbon monoxide caused?

Answer 4

incomplete combustion in a shortage of O2

Question 5

how can you reduce polluting Carbon Monoxide?

Answer 5

converted to CO2 by a catalytic converter

Question 6

how can you reduce sulfur dioxide?

Answer 6

remove from power stations by capturing with limestone

Question 7

what is sulfur dioxide caused by?

Answer 7

burning coal or petrol containing sulfur in oxygen

Question 8

what are oxides of nitrogen caused by?

Answer 8

from N2 and O2 at very high temps such as in an engine

Question 9

how do you reduce oxides of nitrogen?

Answer 9

convert to N2 with a catalytic converter

Question 10

Reasons why CO2 in the atmosphere decreased

Answer 10

earth cooled so oceans condensed so CO2 dissolved into them
photosynthesis (CO2 in bodies of planst and animals eat them, now as glucose)
trapped as sediment
ocean creatures making shells out of calcium carbonate

Question 11

how did the CH4 and NH4 in the atmosphere reduce?

Answer 11

they reacted with the O2 caused by plants photosynthesizing

Question 12

name some sedimentary carbonate rocks

Answer 12

chalk,limestone

Question 13

when the earth was young what was the main gas?

Answer 13

CO2

Question 14

which planets have atmosphres like young earth?

Answer 14

venus, mars

Question 15

where did all the nitrogen come from?

Answer 15

the ammonia that reacted with o2 from photosynthesis

Question 16

why does deforestation lead to increased co2?

Answer 16

plants no longer photsynthesize
burned logs release co2

Question 17

why can radiation from the sun pass through the atmosphere?

Answer 17

it has a short wavelength

Question 18

what types of radiation do atmospheric gases absorb?

Answer 18

outgoing long wavelength radiation

Question 19

what is the formula for methane?

Answer 19

CH4

Question 20

where does methane come from in modern times?

Answer 20

decomposition of rubbish in landfill, animal farming

Question 21

in the burning phosphorous experiment, why does the level of water in the jar go up while the rest does not?

Answer 21

there’s more pressure inside the jar

Question 22

what is the scientific word for drinkable, and how is it different from distilled water?

Answer 22

potable water is different as it contains minerals that distilled does not contain

Question 23

what are the processes in processing water?

Answer 23

screening, sedimentation, filtration,sterilisation

Question 24

what is sedimentation?

Answer 24

letting sediment float to the bottom

Question 25

what chemical is used in what process while processing water?

Answer 25

chlorine used in sterilisation to kill bacteria

Question 26

what sort of countries operate desalination plants?

Answer 26

hot, dry countries by the sea (solar energy is a plus)

Question 27

what do desalination plants use?

Answer 27

reverse osmosis

Question 28

why does sulphur dioxide cause limestone erosion?

Answer 28

the sulphur dioxide dissolves in rain to become sulphuric acid, then causes acid rain which reacts with the calcium carbonate of the limestone to erode it

Question 29

how is natural gas formed?

Answer 29

heat and pressure make bodies of animals and remnants of plants which contain co2 which came from photosynthesis into natural gas