c6.3 interpreting with the earth

Question 1

how has the atmosphere become this- phase one

Answer 1

first the earth’s surface was generally molten and there was no atmosphere. then it finally cooled, but the volcanoes kept releasing gases from inside the earth (co2, methane etc.) the water vapour condensed to form oceans

Question 2

how has the atmosphere become this- phase two

Answer 2

green plants released oxygen and reduced co2. most of the co2 was generally dissolved into the oceans

Question 3

how has the atmosphere become this- phase three

Answer 3

build up of oxygen allowed organisms to live on earth.

oxygen created the ozone layer, which blocked harmful rays from the sun.

Question 4

how much nitrogen is there in the atmosphere

Answer 4

78%

Question 5

why do carbon monoxides cause a problem

Answer 5

toxic gas

reduces the oxygen blood cells can carry

Question 6

why do particulates cause problems

Answer 6

settle deep in the luns

can cause cancers, breathing difficulties

Question 7

why do acidic oxides cause problems

Answer 7

it causes acid rain- killing trees and living animals

Question 8

how can greenhouse gas emissions be reduced

Answer 8

reduce the consumption of fossil fuels
use renewable energy sources
stopping carbon dioxide escaping by using carbon capture

Question 9

water purification process

Answer 9

wired mesh- leaves and twigs
add aluminium sulfate and lime to clump dirt particles together
layer of fine sand- removing any remaining particles of mud or grit
a small amount of chlorine is then added
pH is checked and corrected

Question 10

how is salt water treated

Answer 10

uses a process of desalination
uses reverse osmosis using special ultrafilters to filter out the salts
for large scale desalination, simple distillation is used.
Desalination wouldn’t be worthwhile in countries like the UK.

Question 11

where does drinking water even come from

Answer 11

lakes, reservoirs or aquifers.

Question 12

how can tap water still contain impurities

Answer 12

nitrate residues from excess fertiliser run off
lead compounds- from the pipes
pesticide residues

Question 13

ethanol - as an alternative fuel

Answer 13

made by fermentation of plants
pros: carbon neutral
cons: engines need to be converted before they work
also some farmers may begin to grow crops for ethanol- increasing food prices

Question 14

biodiesel - as an alternative fuel

Answer 14

another biofuel
made from vegetable oils and can be mixed with ordinary diesel to run a diesel engine.
pros: carbon neutral. engines don’t need to be converted. produces less pollutants in comparison to normal diesel
cons: expensive to make. can also increase food prices and farmers begin to make biodiesel more instead of crops for food