C9

Question 1

How are global warming and climate change different?

Answer 1

Global warming is the overall increase in the Earth’s temperature (enhanced greenhouse effect)
Climate change is the general consequences of global warming referring to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns and how this has an impact

Question 2

Compare climate and weather

Answer 2

Weather refers to day to day conditions of Earths atmosphere
Climate describes the typical weather conditions in a region for a long time

Question 3

Give 3 considerations of a carbon footprint

Answer 3

• disposals
• total amount of emissions
• how its manufactured

Question 4

Explain the environmental effects of releasing products of combustion into the atmosphere (6)

Answer 4

• CO2 is a greenhouse gas increasing global warming which leads to climate change leading to polar ice caps melting so sea levels rise and there is increased flooding
• Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain which can damage buildings and trees and can cause respiratory problems
• Carbon/soot are particulates leading to global dimming and can cause respiratory problems
• CO is toxic

Question 5

Explain why soot is formed when some fossil fuels are burned

Answer 5

Insufficient oxygen so produced by incomplete combustion as these particulates aren’t burned

Question 6

Explain how reducing sulfur in fossil fuels reduces erosion of limestone

Answer 6

Sulfur reacts with oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide, as sulfur is an impurity found in fossil fuels. Less sulfur means less sulfur dioxide released meaning less acid rain so limestone reacts less with acid rain

Question 7

Explain how organisms are believed to have evolved on Earth

Answer 7

• Increased levels of oxygen
• (due to) Increased photosynthesis by plants and algae
• Less carbon dioxide (taken in for photosynthesis)
• Oxygen using animals can evolve

Question 8

Explain the greenhouse effect

Answer 8

Short wavelength radiation (UV) from the sun passes through atmosphere. Planet will reemit longer wavelength radiation (infrared) and some is absorbed and trapped by greenhouse gases

Question 9

Explain why CO2 levels decreased

Answer 9

• Volcanic activity emitted water vapour (and other gases) which condensed to form the oceans as Earth cooled
• CO2 dissolved in oceans to form carbonates which were precipitated into sedimentary rocks so carbon became locked up in them
• Carbon also locked up in fossil fuels
• Plants absorbed CO2 in photosynthesis

Question 10

Explain why O2 levels increased

Answer 10

Increased photosynthesis as plants and algae evolved which released oxygen

Question 11

Why are scientists uncertain about percentage of gas in Earths atmosphere?

Answer 11

Around 4.6b years ago and limited evidence

Question 12

Suggest two reasons why CO emissions have been reduced in cars

Answer 12

• Catalytic converters in exhausts of cars
• Toxic gas so people more environmentally aware

Question 13

Describe how oxides of nitrogen are produced when petrol is burned in car engines

Answer 13

Nitrogen reacts with oxygen (is oxidised) at high temperatures

Question 14

Give three effects of atmospheric pollution which are reduced by using catalytic converters

Answer 14

• Acid rain
• Global dimming
• Respiratory problems in humans

Question 15

Give four ways carbon footprint can be reduced

Answer 15

• renewable resources
• carbon capture
• governments can introduce laws and tax people
• recycling

Question 16

Give two reasons why people may be unaware of the presence of carbon monoxide

Answer 16

Colourless and odourless

Question 17

Explain how oil formed

Answer 17

• plankton died
• covered/ buried by sediment
• for millions of years at high temperatures and pressures