C13: Earth’s Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Composition of atmosphere ?

A

80% NITROGEN
20% OXYGEN
CO2
Water vapour
Noble gases

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2
Q

Why are we not certain about earth’s early atmosphere ?

A

Earth is 4.6 billion yrs old , so lack of evidence

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3
Q

How did 02 appear ?

A

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
- 6CO2 + 6H2O —> 6O2 + C6H12O6
- green plants release oxygen

  • ALGAE increased 02 in atmosphere
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4
Q

How did CO2 reduce ?

A

FORMATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCK
- as ocean formed , CO2 dissolved to form soluble carbonate compounds so amount of C02 decreased
- carbonate compounds were PRECIPITATED as sedimentary rock

UPTAKE FROM LIVING ORGANISMS
- CO2 taken from algae and plants when they photosynthesise
- these organisms turn to fossil fuels —> COAL

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5
Q

How did water vapour reduce ?

A

Water vapour condensed to form oceans after volcanic eruptions

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6
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

The way in which heat is trapped close to earth’s surface by ‘greenhouse gases’

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7
Q

Importance of greenhouse gases?

A
  • essential to keep planet at good temp for life
  • otherwise heat would escape and it would average -20C
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8
Q

How does greenhouse effect work?

A

EM radiation from sun passes through Earth’s atmosphere
- Earth absorbs some radiation/ warms up . But some heat is radiated from Earth as infrared radiation
- some of the IR radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases in atmosphere
- atmosphere warms up leading to greenhouse effect

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9
Q

Consequence of raise in greenhouse gases ?

A
  • flooding
  • desertification
  • melting glaciers
  • pollution
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10
Q

Carbon footprint ?

A

Total amount of greenhouse gases that are generated by our actions

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11
Q

How to reduce carbon footprint ?

A
  • reduce CO2 and methane emissions by:
  • using less electricity/ transport
  • more trees
  • carbon capture
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12
Q

How is SO2 formed, problems and solutions ?

A

FORMED : sulfur impurities in fuels burn to form SO2
PROBLEMS : acid rain
SOLUTIONS : - use renewable energy
- remove from fuels before burning
- remove from flue gases

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13
Q

N20 how is it formed, problems and solutions?

A

Formed : oxidation of N2 in high temps in vehicle engines
PROBLEMS : acid rain /asthma
SOLUTIONS :low nitrogen fuels

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14
Q

How are unburned fuels formed , problems and solutions ?

A

FORMED: release in INCOMPLETE combustion of fuel
PROBLEMS : damage cells/ cancer
SOLUTIONS : check up of engines

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15
Q

How is H20 formed , problems?

A

FORMED : oxidation of H2 I hydrocarbon fuels
PROBLEMS : amplify water cycle ( more wet/dry regions)

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16
Q

How is CO2 formed , problems and solutions ?

A

FORMED: complete combustion of fuel
Problems : increases temperature
SOLUTIONS : reduce use / alternate energy source

17
Q

How is CO formed , problems and solutions ?

A

FORMED : incomplete combustion of fuel
PROBLEMS : toxic poisonous gas / odourless so hard to detect
SOLUTIONS : use detectors and biodiesel

18
Q

How is soot/particulates formed, problems and solutions ?

A

FORMED : incomplete combustions of fuel leads to solid particles / unburned hydrocarbons to be released forming PARTICULATES
PROBLEMS: global dimming/health problems
SOLUTIONS : reduce use of them

19
Q

composition of early atmosphere

A

mainly Co2
no oxygen
traces of ammonia

20
Q

why is producing future models for climate chnage difficult?

A
  • complex system
  • many variables
  • many alternative theories