Atmosphere Flashcards
Nitrogen
78%
Oxygen
21%
How did the atmosphere form
- intense volcanic activity released gases that form atmosphere
- water vapour was one that condensed to make oceans
- volcanoes also release lots of co2 and little oxygen
How did co2 drop
- co2 dissolved in ocean
- weak acid which reacted with minerals
- precipitates which over time formed sediments of carbonate rock
- some co2 used to form corals and shells
= when they die it formed sedimentary rock limestone
= removed co2
How did o2 increase
- photosynthetic algae first evolved in oceans
= plants evolved
= worked through respiration
= increases o2
= allows animals to evolved
= after a while decrease co2 levels
Describe a fuel
Releases energy when they’re combusted
Eg coal and hydrocarbons
What happens when we burn fuels with carbon and hydrogen
Carbon and hydrogen atoms react with o2 in the air
= elements oxidised
Product of complete combustion
Co2
Products of incomplete combustion
Co2 and toxic gas
= both form water vapour
Describe oxides of nitrogen
Oxides of nitrogen produced in engines eg cars
= high temps cause nitrogen and oxygen to react
= produces range of different molecules
= called oxides of nitrogen
Effects of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
Cause breathing problems
= also dissolve in rain water to form acid rain
= damages trees and corrodes buildings made from limestone
Effects of combustion of deisel
Carbon particulates
= lung and heart disease
Reduces amount of energy from the sun that reaches earths surface
= global dimming
= affect rainfall patterns
How acid rain forms
Sulphur reacts with oxygen to form sulphur dioxide
= dissolves in rainwater
= forms acid rain
= erodes limestone