C13: The Earths Atmosphere Flashcards
What % of Nitrogen is the earths current atmosphere?
78%
What % of Oxygen is the earths current atmosphere?
21%
What % of Carbon Dioxide is the earths current atmosphere?
0.04%
What % of Argon is the earths current atmosphere?
0.9%
What gases were in the earths original atmosphere (4.6 billion years ago)?
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Nitrogen (N2)
- Helium (He)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Water vapour (H2O)
What is distillation?
Evaporation followed by condensation
How did the oceans first form?
Billions of years ago the surface of the earth cooled to a point where the water vapour could condense into liquid water, forming the oceans.
How was oxygen first released into the atmosphere?
Photosynthesising plants evolved in the ocean, which removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen
How did nitrogen gas first form?
Ammonia reacted with the newly produced oxygen in the atmosphere to produce nitrogen gas
Why is there lots if nitrogen gas in the atmosphere today?
As nitrogen gas is very un-reactive so it has built up in the atmosphere over time
How can gases in the air be separated?
Using fractional distillation
What are some potential consequences of global warming?
- More droughts and expansion of desert regions
- Increases rainfall in some parts of the world, leading to floods
- Increases number of extreme weather events such as hurricanes
- Melting of ice in polar regions
- Sea level rising
What are some alternative energy sources to reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burnt?
- Solar energy
- Tidal energy
- Wind energy
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide + Water —> Glucose + Oxygen
What is the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2
