C1 - Air Quality Flashcards
What is the thin layer of gases called that surrounds the Earth?
The atmosphere
How much nitrogen does the atmosphere contain?
78%
How much oxygen does the atmosphere contain?
21%
How much argon (and other noble gases) does the atmosphere contain?
1%
How much of water vapour, carbon dioxide, and other gases does the atmosphere contain?
Small amounts
State the composition of the atmosphere.
78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
1% argon and other noble gases
Small amounts of water vapour, carbon dioxide and other gases
Describe the 4 stages by which scientists believe that the atmosphere probably evolved.
- The early atmosphere was created by volcanic activity and consisted mainly of carbon dioxide and water vapour.
- As the Earth cooled, the water vapour condensed to form the oceans.
- Simple photosynthetic organisms evolved in the oceans, adding oxygen to the atmosphere and removing carbon dioxide.
- Some carbon dioxide was removed due to it dissolving in the oceans and forming sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels.
How do scientists believe the early atmosphere was created?
By volcanic activity
What do scientists believe that the early atmosphere consisted of?
Mainly of carbon dioxide and water vapour
What do scientists believe happened to the Earth so that water vapour condensed into the oceans?
The Earth cooled.
How do scientists believe the oceans were created?
As the Earth cooled, water vapour found in the early atmopshere condensed to form the oceans
What role do scientists believe the ocean had during the early stages of the Earth in the atmosphere?
As simple photosynthetic organisms evolved in the oceans, oxygen was added to the atmosphere and carbon dioxide was removed from the atmosphere.
What do scientists believe happened within the oceans that meant oxygen was added to the atmosphere and carbon dioxide was removed from the atmosphere in the early stages of the earth?
Simple photosynthetic organisms evolved in the oceans
How do scientists believe carbon dioxide was removed from the atmosphere in the early stages of the earth? (2 ways)
- Simple photosynthetic organisms evolved in the oceans, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (and adding oxygen to it)
- Some carbon dioxide was removed due to it dissolving in the oceans and forming sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
Why are pollutants chemicals?
They can harm the environment and our health
Give an example of a human action that releases pollutants into the atmosphere.
Burning fossil fuels
How do power stations and cars release pollutants into the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels
True or False?
Pollutants cannot harm us indirectly.
False - Pollutants can harm us indirectly.
Give an example of how pollutants can harm us indirectly and the effect they have.
Acid rain makes rivers to acidic for organisms to survive - this affects some food chains and natural resources (like trees)
Name some pollutants.
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Sulfur dioxide
- Particulates (small particulates of solids, e.g. carbon)
- Carbon monoxide
What can carbon dioxide be harmful to?
The environment
What can nitrogen oxides be harmful to?
The environment and humans
What can sulfur dioxide be harmful to?
The environment
What can particulates be harmful to?
The environment and humans