Atmosphere

Question 1

Phase 1?

Answer 1

• Earth was originally mostly molten
• Overtime cooled and formed crust
• Volcanos erupting released much of our gases into our atmosphere, mainly carbon dioxide
• Over time water vapour in the atmosphere cools and forms clouds that rain, making oceans.
• Carbon dioxide amounts decreased as some dissolved in oceans

Question 2

Phase 2?

Answer 2

• Nitrogen in the air via denitrifying bacteria

- oxygen is produced via developing plants (bacteria)

Question 3

Phase 3?

Answer 3

Oxygen-made ozone layer

Question 4

What are the three main greenhouse gases?

Answer 4

Water vapour, methane and carbon dioxide

Question 5

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 5

• Radiation from the sun in a form of small wavelengths goes through Earth’s atmosphere
• Some are absorbed some are radiated back towards the atmosphere, from the Earth
• Greenhouse gases block radiation from leaving the Earth and re-emit it back towards the Earth, keeping the planet warm.

Question 6

Why is there uncertainty over the Earth’s atmosphere, back in time?

Answer 6

• Data records don’t go that far
• Any measurement that has been taken, for example from gas bubbles, shows atmospheric composition around where the bubble was found. Can’t be sure that this represents the entire Globe.

Question 7

What are the problems that global warming brings?

Answer 7

• Floods due to melted POLAR CAPS

- Changes in rainfall patterns

Question 8

Why has Methane concentrations increased?

Answer 8

-Human activity, like the creation of more livestock.