Atmosphere Flashcards
Name two human activities that increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
- deforestation
- burning fossil fuels
What gas makes up roughly 20% of Earth’s modern atmosphere?
Oxygen
In the ‘greenhouse effect’, what type of radiation is reflected back into space by the atmosphere?
Short-wave Radiation
Name an atmospheric pollutant that causes acid rain.
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Nitrogen Oxide
Name two human activities that increase methane levels in the atmosphere.
- agriculture
- rice farming
- keeping livestock
- landfill
In the ‘greenhouse effect’, what type of radiation passes through the atmosphere?
Long-wave Radiation
Give the word equation for the sunlight catalysed process that uses up CO2
Carbon Dioxide + Water
—> Glucose + Oxygen
List two possible effects of global climate change
- ice caps melting
- sea levels rising
- damage to ecosystems
- loss of habitat wildlife
- more severe storms
- more acidic ocean water
- more frequent drought/flooding
Describe how the atmosphere 4 billion years ago was different from the atmosphere today.
- barely any/ no oxygen
- very little nitrogen
- lots of carbon dioxide
What causes sulfur dioxide to be released into the atmosphere?
Combustion of fuels containing sulfur impurities
Describe how volcanic activity billions of years ago affected the atmosphere.
It greatly increased the amount of carbon dioxide and water
Also introduced nitrogen, methane and ammonia
Describe how the world’s first oceans formed.
