C6: The Earth and Atmosphere

Question 1

“The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment”. What is this sentence describing?

Answer 1

The Carbon Cycle

Question 2

List 3 ways that carbon can be put into the atmosphere (in the form of carbon dioxide)

Answer 2

• Respiration - Burning fossil fuels - Decomposition

Question 3

Name one way carbon can be removed from the atmosphere.

Answer 3

Photosynthesis

Question 4

What is the problem with cutting down trees to burn as a fuel?

Answer 4

Burning wood releases carbon dioxide into the air. Increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contribute to global warming/ climate change. Fewer trees also means less photosynthesis, which removes carbon dioxide form the atmosphere. A double whammy!

Question 5

What are the %s of nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Answer 5

Nitrogen - 78% Oxygen - 21% Carbon dioxide - 0.04%

Question 6

Give 7 features of a sustainable house and a reason why each feature is sustainable.

Answer 6

Motion sensor lighting: This means that the lights will only be on when people are inside the house, reducing energy usage. Triple Glazed Windows: This will reduce heat loss through the windows, meaning that less energy will be required to heat the house, reducing energy usage. Faucet Aerator: Adds air to water meaning that less water is used, reducing water waste. Gas Condensing Boiler: An incredibly efficient boiler that uses transforms 90% of the energy used into heat, reducing energy consumption. Insulation: Heats home quicker, less heat is loss, reducing energy consumption.

Question 7

What are some of the drawbacks of sustainability?

Answer 7

Extra cost Require sacrifice Many houses are currently inefficient and are difficult to make sustainable Some people don’t believe in climate change or that sustainability is necessary.

Question 8

What is different about different length hydrocarbons?

Answer 8

They have different boiling points

Question 9

What is the name given to separating crude oil by distillation?

Answer 9

Fractional distillation

Question 10

Define fuel

Answer 10

A substance that releases energy when it’s burned

Question 11

What is crude oil?

Answer 11

A mixture of hydrocarbons that comes directly from the earths crust

Question 12

Give the general formula for alkanes

Answer 12

C8H18 n=8 2n+2 = 18

Question 13

How does fractional distillation work?

Answer 13

The crude oil is vaporised and enters a tall fractionating column. The column gets colder the higher up you go. The different length hydrocarbons condense at different points so are then collected at the area where they condensed, as a liquid

Question 14

What is the complete combustion of hydrocarbons?

Answer 14

When the hydrocarbons react fully with oxygen. They are oxidised to carbon dioxide and water

Question 15

Write a word equation for the complete combustion of ethane

Answer 15

methane + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water

Question 16

What is the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons?

Answer 16

When there is not enough oxygen to oxidise the hydrocarbons so some carbon is left over as particulates or carbon monoxide

Question 17

What colour does a flame burn if there is incomplete combustion?

Answer 17

Orange/yellow

Question 18

Why do particulates cause global dimming?

Answer 18

The particulates, as solid tiny particles, reflect sunlight away from the earth so causes global dimming

Question 19

How is acid rain formed?

Answer 19

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with oxygen in the air and dissolves in water to produce acid rain

Question 20

How can we reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being produced?

Answer 20

•remove the sulphur from the fuel before you burn it •remove sulphur dioxide from the waste gases produced from power stations