C13 - The Earth's Atmosphere

Question 1

How was the earth’s earthly atmosphere formed?

Answer 1

From volcanic activity.

Question 2

What did the earth’s early atmosphere mainly consist of? (Probably)

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide. Maybe alps nitrogen and water vapour, methane and ammonia.

Question 3

How have scientists constructed an image of what they think the earth’s early atmosphere was like?

Answer 3

Gas bubbles trapped in rock.

Question 4

How did oxygen levels increase in the earth’s early atmosphere?

Answer 4

As plants (algae and bacteria) spread across the earth, they released oxygen as a product of photosynthesis.

Question 5

How did the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease?

Answer 5

• Photosynthesis

* the formation of sedimentary rocks that contain carbon - removing it from the atmosphere.

Question 6

What rough percentage of the earth’s atmosphere is…?
• nitrogen
• oxygen

Answer 6

• 80%

* 20%

Question 7

What gasses are found in the atmosphere today?

Answer 7

• Noble Gasses
• nitrogen
• oxygen
• carbon dioxide
• argon
• water vapour
• etc.

Question 8

How was methane and ammonia in the earth’s early atmosphere removed?

Answer 8

Reacting with oxygen formed as a product of photosynthesis.

Question 9

Main greenhouse gases?

Answer 9

Carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour.

Question 10

What is meant by the term ‘greenhouse gas’?

Answer 10

Trap heat that is reflected back into space by the earth’s surface. Gases which allow short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation to pass through, but that absorb infrared radiation, which stimulate the molecules to vibrate, bend and stretch causing a rise in temperature.

Question 11

Temperature the earth would be without greenhouse gases?

Answer 11

-19 degrees

Question 12

Effects of global warming?

Answer 12

• rising sea levels - melting ice caps
• increasingly common extreme weather events
• changes of temperature
• changes in wildlife distribution
• changes in rainfall patterns

Question 13

D. Carbon footprint?

Answer 13

The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses emitted over its full life cycle.

Question 14

Products of burning hydrocarbons? (In excess air)

Answer 14

Carbon + hydrogen are completely oxidised.

Carbon dioxide and water.

Question 15

How can acid rain be caused by burning fuels?

Answer 15

Sulfur impurities burn to form sulfurdioxide

Question 16

What is produced if you burn hydrocarbons in insufficient oxygen?

Answer 16

Carbon monoxide.

Question 17

What happens when nitrogen reacts at high temperatures?

Answer 17

Reacts with air to form oxides of nitrogen, which can cause breathing problems and acid rain.