C13 Flashcards
How was the early atmosphere formed?
The first billion years was covered with volcanos that erupted, leaking gas and forming the early atmosphere.
What was the early atmosphere made of?
Mainly carbon dioxide, with virtually no oxygen. Additionally, the volcanic activity released nitrogen, water vapour and small amounts of methane and ammonia.
How were oceans formed?
The water vapour in the environment condensed. Lots of carbon dioxide was dissolved to form carbonate precipitates that formed sediments on the seabed. Later, marine animals evolved, and their shells and skeletons contained some of these carbonates from the oceans.
How does carbon become trapped in fossil fuels and rocks?
When plants, plankton and marine animals die, they get buried by layers of sediment, becoming compressed and forming sedimentary rocks, oil and gas. Things like crude oil formed by this are called fossil fuels.
How is crude oil, coal and limestone formed?
Crude oil is formed from deposits of plankton that form reservoirs under the seabed when they get trapped in rocks. Coal is made from thick plant deposits and limestone is made from carbonate deposits from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms.
What is the formula for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + water = glucose + oxygen
(6,6,1,6)
How was oxygen produced?
Plants evolved to produce oxygen through photosynthesis over around a billion years. As oxygen levels built up, more complex life could evolve.
What is the atmosphere composed of?
Approximately 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen and small amounts of other gases that make up less than 1% such as carbon dioxide, noble gases and water vapour.
How do greenhouse gases work?
They act as an insulating layer in the earth’s atmosphere, allowing the earth to be warm enough to support life. Greenhouse gases absorb long wave radiation that gets reflected off the earth, reradiating it back towards the earth. The longwave radiation is thermal radiation, warming the surface of the earth known as the greenhouse effect.
What are 4 methods increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Deforestation, burning fossil fuels, agriculture and creating waste.
What is a carbon footprint?
A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over a full life cycle of something, such as a service e.g. a school bus or a product e.g. toastie maker.
How can carbon footprint be measured?
Through factors such as manufacturing, making it, using it and disposal of it.
What are 5 ways of reducing carbon footprints?
Renewable energy sources, efficient processes, taxes on carbon emitting companies, cap on emissions from companies and carbon capture storage.
How does the combustion of fossil fuels release gases and particles?
Fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons and during combustion these are oxidised, so carbon dioxide and water vapour is released back into the atmosphere.
What happens in incomplete combustion?
When there is not enough oxygen so the fuel doesn’t burn, releasing solid particles made up of soot and unburned hydrocarbons are released and carbon monoxide can be released instead of dioxide.
What problems can particulates(particles in the air cause)?
They can get stuck in your lungs if breathed in, causing damage and they are bad for the environment as they reflect sunlight back into space so global dimming occurs.
How is carbon monoxide dangerous?
It is dangerous as it can stop your blood from carrying oxygen around by binding to haemoglobin. It is also hard to detect, making it more dangerous.
How is sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen released in combustion?
Sulphur dioxide is released in the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal that contains sulphur impurities. However, nitrogen oxides are created from a reaction with oxygen caused by the heat of burning.
What happens when sulfuric acid and nitric acid mix with clouds?
They form dilute sulfuric acid and dilute nitric acid forming acid rain which damages plants and buildings, also making metal corrode.
