C6.3 Flashcards
What three substances make up 99.9% of the atmosphere
These are oxygen, nitrogen and argon. The smaller percentage is made up by carbon dioxide and water vapour.
How did the earth’s atmosphere
Lots of volcanic activity during its early years releasing lots of carbon dioxide and water vapour. As the earth cooled the water vapour formed oceans and the carbon dioxide stayed in the atmosphere.
What is the second stage of the earth’s atmosphere
Plants then photosynthesised absorbing CO2 and releasing O2
What is the 3rd stage of the formation of the earth’s atmosphere
Photosynthesis reduced the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. It also released oxygen. The oxygen reacted with rocks to form metal oxides, As all the metals were oxidised, free oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere. Forming an oxygen rich atmosphere.
What are pollutants
Pollutants are substances released into the atmosphere that may harm living things.
How are atmospheric pollutants released into the air
They are released into the air because of burning fossil fuels these are carbon monoxide, particulates, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide.
When is carbon monoxide produced and characteristics of it
It’s produced during incomplete combustion of fuels. CO is a toxic and odourless gas.
What are particulates and where are they produced
Particulates are small particles. They are produced in industrial processes such as metal extraction. They are produced in incomplete combustion.
When do nitrogen and oxygen react together
They react at high temperatures in vehicle engines producing NO and NO2.
What do nitrogen oxides do
Nitrogen oxides dissolve in the moisture in clouds forming an acidic solution which falls as acid rain.
What are the effects of particulates
They settle in the lungs when breathed in. This causes diseases such as bronchitis and other breathing problems and increasing chance of heart disease.
Impacts of carbon monoxide
When breathed in it attaches to haemoglobin reducing the amount of oxygen the bloodstream can carry. Causing drowsiness and difficulty breathing.
What do fossil fuels contain
Fossil fuels contain small amounts of sulphur which when burnt forms sulphur dioxide, this can cause acid rain and breathing difficulties.
What do greenhouse gases do
Greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4 absorb infrared radiation by the earth’s surface and then emit it in all directions.
What is the greenhouse effect essential for
The greenhouse effect is essential for life as it keeps it warm enough for living things to exist.
When is Carbon dioxide and methane released into the atmosphere
It is released into the atmosphere as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. Methane is released from farming.
What does the release of the additional gases do
The release of these additional gases cause an enhanced greenhouse gas effect, increasing the temperature of the earth’ surface.
Impacts of global warming
Global warming melts ice caps causing rising sea levels. Climate change brings altered weather patterns.
How carbon emissions be reduced
Reduced consumption of fossil fuels
Use of renewable energy resources
Use of carbon capture
Where does tap water originally come from
Tap water originally comes from water stored in lakes, reservoirs or aquifers. It may also have come from rivers or waste water. Water from these sources contain microorganisms and many different substances.
What is in the water
.Insoluble materials such as leaves and particles from rocks and soil
.Soluble substance such as salts and pollutants such as pesticides and fertilisers
Where are these removed
Most of these are removed at treatment facilities
What is the first stage of making tap water
Water enters the water treatment works, it passes through a screen. This is made from bars of metal placed close together. These catch large objects such as leaves and twigs.
What is the second stage of making tap water
Settlement tank - sand and soil settle out
What is the third stage of making tap water
Aluminium sulphate and lime are added to the water. Small particles of dirt clump together so that they sink to the bottom of the water. The sludge that collects this is dumped in a landfill where it forms mud.
What is the fourth stage of making tap water
The water is passed through a special filter made of fine sand. This removes any remaining particles of mud or grit so the water is clear.
What is the fifth stage of making tap water
Although, the water now looks clean, it may still contain harmful bacteria. A small amount of chlorine is added the water to kill the bacteria.
What is the sixth stage of making tap water
The PH of the water is checked and corrected so that it is neutral. The water is then stored in large tanks and service reservoirs, ready to be pumped to homes, schools, offices and factories.
How is seawater converted into tap water
Seawater contains high concentrations of dissolved salts. To make this water potable the salt must be removed in a process called desalination.
What is the process that desalination use
It uses “reverse osmosis”, “special ulttrafillers” to filter out the salts.
