Atmosphere Flashcards
When did the earth form
4.6 billion years ago
One theory suggests that early atmosphere came from…
intense volcanic pressure, which released gases into the atmosphere.
Three features of early earth atmosphere
Large amounts of CO2
Little or no oxygen
Small amounts of gases, such as ammonia and and methane
How were the oceans formed
Volcanic activity also released water vapour, which condensed as the earth cooled to form the oceans.
Why did nitrogen build up in the atmesphere
Because it is unreactive
How long have the relative proportions of our atmosphere been the same
200 million years
Our air % of different gases
80% nitrogen approx
20% oxygen approx
1% other gases
When did algae first evolve
2.7 billions
What did early volcanoes release other than water vaopur
Lots of carbon dioxide and some other gases
All the things early volcanoes released
Water vapour
CO2
Small amounts of methane and ammonia
What did the early atmosphere mainly consist of
98% C02
1% nitrogen
1% of other gases
At this stage, some of the _____ _____ ______ in the oceans to form a weak _____
carbon dioxide dissolved acid
How did oxygen increase
By algae performing photosynthesis. and by other primitive plants the amount of oxygen they made eventually built up and enabled animals to evolve
Formation of sedimentary rocks
Carbon dioxide is a very soluble gas. It dissolves readily in water. As the oceans formed, carbon dioxide dissolved to form soluble carbonate compounds. Then carbinated compounds where then precipitated as sedimentary rocks.
How did carbon dioxide decrease by formation of sedimentary rocks
It dissolved in water and formed soluble carbonate compounds and these precipitated into sedimentary rocks reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere