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CHEMISTRY GCSE > ATMOSPHERE > Flashcards

ATMOSPHERE Flashcards

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1
Q

What did the early atmosphere mostly consist of

A

carbon dioxide with virtually no oxygen

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2
Q

what built up the atmosphere over time

A

volcanic activity also released nitrogen as well as water vapour and small amounts of methane and ammonia

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3
Q

how do people think the early atmosphere was formed

A

that the surface was covered in volcanoes that erupted and released lots of gases

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4
Q

how did oceans form

A

when the water vapor in the atmosphere condensed it formed oceans

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5
Q

how was carbon dioxide removed from the early atmosphere

A

lots of carbon dioxide was removed from the early atmosphere as it dissolved in the oceans
green, plants and algae evolved and absorbed some of the carbon dioxide so that they could carry out photosynthesis
when organisms died the carbon they took from the atmosphere gets trapped inside them which reduced the carbon dioxide levels in the early atmosphere

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6
Q

how are sedimentary rocks formed

A

when plants, plankton and marine animals die they fall to the sea bed and get buried by layers of sediment.
over millions of years they become compressed and form sedimentary rocks

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7
Q

name three fossil fuels

A

coal
crude oil
natural gas

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8
Q

how is crude oil and natural gas formed

A

from deposits of plankton

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9
Q

name 2 sedimentary rocks

A

coal

limestone

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10
Q

how were oxygen levels in the early atmosphere increased

and how did this affect the atmosphere

A

green plants and algae produced oxygen by photosynthesis plants use light to convert carbon dioxide into sugars and oxygen
as oxygen levels built up over time more complex life (like animals)

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11
Q

name greenhouse gases

A

carbon dioxide
methane
water vapour

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12
Q

what do these greenhouse gases do

A

they act as an insulating layer in the earths atmosphere this allows the earth to be warm enough to support life

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13
Q

what human activities are affecting the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

A

deforestation- fewer trees means less co2 is removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis
burning fossil fuels- carbon that was locked up in the fuels is released as co2
agriculture- more farm animals produce more methane through their digestive processes
creating waste- more co2 and methane released from the decomposition of waste

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14
Q

why do scientist think that the earths temperature is increasing

A

they think that the extra carbon dioxide from human activity is causing this increase and that this will lead to climate change

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15
Q

consequences of climate change

A

as temperature increases this could lead to polar ice caps melting which causes a rise in sea levels, increased flooding in coastal areas and coastal erosion

changes in temperature and the amount of water available in a habitat may affect wild species, leading to differences in their distribution

the frequency and severity of storms may also increase

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16
Q

what are carbon footprints

A

a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something.

17
Q

how do you reduce your carbon footprint

A

renewable energy sources or nuclear energy instead of fossil fuels
using more efficient processes could conserve energy and cut waste
goverments can tax companies or individuals based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit
goverments can also put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gases that companies make

18
Q

why is making reductions to your carbon footprint still difficult

A

a lot of governments are worried that making these changes will impact on the economic growth of communities
a lot of countries don’t want to sacrifice their economic development if they think others wont do the same

19
Q

air pollution from incomplete combustion

A

as fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons during combustion the carbon and the hydrogen in these compounds are oxidised all of the fuel burns if there is plenty of oxygen
if there isn’t enough oxygen incomplete combustion takes place and particulates and unburnt fuel are released and carbon monoxide can be produced as well as carbon dioxide

20
Q

problems air pollution can cause

A

if particulates are inhaled they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage which can lead to respiratory problems
particulates can also cause global dimming
carbon monoxide can stop your blood from carrying oxygen around your body this lack of oxygen can lead to fainting, a coma or even death
carbon monoxide doesn’t have any colour or smell so its hard to detect.

21
Q

what is released during the complete combustion of hydrocarbons/fossil fuels

A

carbon dioxide and water vapour, sulfur dioxide

22
Q

acid rain

A

Sulfur dioxide is caused when sulfur atoms which are present in some fossil fuels are oxidised:
Sulfur dioxide is then further oxidised in the atmosphere to sulfur trioxide, SO3. This gas dissolves in rainwater to make acid rain,

23
Q

problems with acid rain

A

acid rain kills plants and damages builidngs and statues

24
Q

name three potential pollutants that could be released as a result of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons that wouldn’t be released as a result of complete combustion

A

particulates (soot)
unburnt fuels
carbon monoxide

25
Q

what are particulates

A

soot

26
Q

how are particulates produced

A

Incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon atoms

27
Q

how is carbon monoxide produced

A

Incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon atoms

28
Q

how is sulfur dioxide produced

A

Combustion of a fossil fuel which contains sulfur impurities

29
Q

how are nitrogen oxides formed

A

Oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen inside the engine of a car, lorry, etc

30
Q

explain how the greenhouse affect works to keep the earth warm

A

greenhouse gases don’t absorb the incoming short wavelength radiation from the sun but they do absorb the long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off the earth
then they re radiate it in all directions including back towards the earth
this longwave radiation is thermal radiation so it results in warming the surface of the earth.

31
Q

how is carbon dioxide produced

A

Complete combustion of any fuel containing carbon atoms

CHEMISTRY GCSE (13 decks)

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