C6.3 - Earth Systems? ๐ŸŒ Flashcards

spec approved

1
Q

describe the theory of how the atmosphere was originally formed

A
  • intense volcanic activity released gases (like CO2 and H20) = formed early atmosphere
  • earth cooled and water vapour condensed to form oceans
  • left behind atmosphere of mainly carbon dioxide
  • with small amounts of
    ammonia, methane
  • little/no oxygen
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2
Q

what kind of gases did the volcanoes release in the early atmosphere? (3 main, 2 non-main)

A
  • huge volumes of water vapour
  • carbon dioxide
  • small amounts of nitrogen

and
- sulfur dioxide
- hydrogen sulfide

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3
Q

how has an oxygen-rich atmosphere developed over time?

A
  • plants and algae made their own food through photosynthesis
  • took in carbon dioxide + water and released oxygen
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4
Q

describe the four steps of the greenhouse effect

A

1) energy transferred by radiation from sun reaches earthโ€™s surface
2) radiation warms up the earthโ€™s surface
3) radiation emitted back into earthโ€™s atmosphere
4) some is absorbed by greenhouse gases
5) others go directly into space

  • this allows temperature to be regulated in the atmosphere
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5
Q

what human activity increases levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

A
  • driving (release CO2)

- raising cattle (methane)

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6
Q

what are the uncertainties in past CO2 conc in air measurements? (2)

A
  • Historical data is much less accurate due to the lack of accurate instrumentation and methods
  • Fewer locations would also have been measured due to the lack of satellites and transport
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7
Q

potential effects of increased levels of carbon dioxide + methane on earthโ€™s climate

A
  • increase in average global temperatures
  • extinction of species
  • raised sea levels
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8
Q

how can greenhouse gas emissions be reduced?

A
  • reduce consumption of fossil fuels BIOFUELS
  • renewable energy resources
  • using CARBON CAPTURE (prevent carbon dioxide from escaping)
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9
Q

main source of carbon monoxide?

A
  • incomplete combustion of fuels with carbon

- ie. in vehicle engines

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10
Q

problem with increased amount of carbon monoxide? (and why)

A
  • is a toxic gas
  • has no colour, taste smell
  • reduces amount of oxygen bloodstream can carry by binding w/ haemoglobin
  • causes drowsiness/difficulty breathing/death
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11
Q

main source of sulfur dioxide

A
  • burnt fossil fuels

they contain small amounts of sulfur compounds

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12
Q

problems of increased amount of sulfur dioxide?

A
  • causes acid rain

- breathing difficulties

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13
Q

what are the products of complete combustion of fossil fuels? (4)

A
  • oxides of nitrogen
  • carbon dioxide
  • oxides of sulfur
  • water vapour
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14
Q

problem with increased amount of oxides with nitrogen?

A
  • acid rain
  • asthma
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15
Q

what does acid rain do to stone, metal, trees and living things

A
  • erodes stonework, corrodes metal
  • kill trees
  • kill living things in rivers/lakes
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16
Q

main source of particulates in atmosphere?

A
  • produced in industrial processes like metal extraction
  • incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
  • in vehicle engines
17
Q

what are particulates?

A

microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air

18
Q

problem caused by increased amount of particulates in the atmosphere

A
  • global dimming
  • small particles settle in lungs
  • breathing problems (bronchitis, increase chance of heart disease)
19
Q

where does tap water come from?

A
  • water stored in lakes/reservoirs
  • or in aquifiers
  • from lakes/waste water
20
Q

what are the 5 steps which describe how fresh water is treatd?

A

1) passes through screen (metal bars which trap large things like leaves + twigs)
2) passes through settlement tank (where soil + sand settle out)
3) aluminium sulfate + lime added (causes small particles of dirt to clump together + sink to bottom)-SLUDGE
4) water passed through fine sand filter (removes mud/grit)
5) chlorine added to kill bactera
6) pH checked + neutralised

21
Q

what is groundwater?

A

water found underground in cracks/spaces in soil/sand/rock

22
Q

where is groundwater stored (and where and how does it move)?

A
  • stored in geological formations of soil, sand, rock

- moves slowly through aqufiers

23
Q

where is salt water found?

A

sea water

24
Q

what is the name of the processes used to treat salt water? (and large scale or small scale) (2)

A
  • simple distillation for large scale
  • reverse osmosis for small scale
  • both are desalination processes
25
Q

what factors would affect whether desalination would be worthwhile in a country? (2)
(and give an example where they use it)

A
  • where freshwater supply is low
  • cost of energy resources is low
  • ie. coast on middle east
26
Q

what characteristics must water have to make it potable? (3)

A
  • Have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5.
  • The dissolved substances (e.g. salts) will be present is very small regulated quantities
  • Be free of bacteria or potentially harmful microbes
27
Q

what does it mean if water is potable?

A

safe to drink

28
Q

extra products of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels (in comparison w/ complete combustion) (2)

A
  • carbon, which clubs together forming carbon particulates
  • carbon monoxide