C9

Question 1

what is thought to be phase one of the evolution of the atmosphere?

Answer 1

volcanoes erupted releasing carbon dioxide and nitrogen which built up and in the atmosphere over time along with water vapour (but hardly any oxygen)

Question 2

what is thought to be phase two of the evolution of the atmosphere?

Answer 2

water in the atmosphere condensed to form oceans.carbon dioxide dissolved in ocean and went through series of reactions to form sediments on sea bed. green plants and algae evolved and began to carry out photosynthesis. later, marine animals evolved which (later) died and became fossils.

Question 3

what is thought to be phase three of the evolution of the atmosphere?

Answer 3

green plants and algae photosynthesise and transfer CO2 into O2. as more o2 built up, more complex life built up like animals. today the atmosphere is 80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen and other gases mainly co2, noble gases and water vapour

Question 4

what allows the earth to be as warm as it is?

Answer 4

greenhouse gases trapping heat in our atmosphere (greenhouse effect)

Question 5

explain the greenhouse effect.

Answer 5

the sun emits a short-wave radiation which enters the atmosphere and is absorbed by the earth. some wavelengths get reflected off the earths surface through a longer wavelength- some of which are absorbed by gases in the atmosphere. these wavelengths get re-radiated in all directions, including back to earth, resulting in the warming of the earth.

Question 6

what human activity effects the amount of greenhouse gases in the air and how?

Answer 6

deforestation- fewer trees mean less co2 is removed from the atmosphere
burning fossil fuels-co2 emissions
agriculture- methane produced by cattle farming and paddy fields
creating waste-methane and co2 released by decomposition.

Question 7

what are some dangerous consequences of climate change?

Answer 7

ice caps melt- loss of habitat
sea level rise- flooding of low lying/coastal land
changes in weather pattern and temps- difficult to grow crops and produce food
changes in temp- effects migration patterns of animals
frequency of extreme weather and storms increases- dangerous to habitats and people

Question 8

what are carbon footprints?

Answer 8

a measure of amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released of a full cycle of something.

Question 9

in what ways can you reduce your carbon footprint?

Answer 9

• renewable or nuclear energy resources rather than fossil fuels.
• gov. could tax people on how my co2 they use or produce.
• introduce/improve technology that traps co2 before released into the atmosphere.

Question 10

why is the government concerned for cutting emissions?

Answer 10

• still a lot of work to be done on alternative technology.
• gov. are worried it may impact economic growth.
• not everyone is on board so its difficult to make an international agreements.

Question 11

what is combustion?

Answer 11

the process of burning something

Question 12

what happens to the combustion of fossil fuels such as crude oil and coal?

Answer 12

crude oil and coal contain hydrocarbons which during combustion, is split into carbon and H2. these compounds are oxidised to form carbon dioxide and water vapour which are released into the atmosphere.

Question 13

what is incomplete combustion?

Answer 13

is when there’s not enough oxygen so some fuels don’t burn.

Question 14

how is co2 formed, where is co2 emitted from and what are the negative effects of carbon dioxide?

Answer 14

formed from the complete combustion of fossil fuels
emitted from
-industry (factory pollution)
-deforestation
-human activity such as burning fossil fuels
contributes to pollution and global warming

Question 15

how is carbon monoxide formed, where is carbon monoxide emitted from and what are the negative effects of it?

Answer 15

formed form the incomplete combustion of carbon. methane reacts with oxygen to create carbon monoxide.
emitted from
-boilers
-cookers
-open fires
binds around red blood cells starving your body of a supply of oxygen

Question 16

how is sulphur dioxide formed where is it emitted from and what are the negative effects of it?

Answer 16

formed when the fuels containing sulphur compounds are burnt
emitted from
-factories
-burning anything that contains sulphur
when sulphur dioxide reacts with water droplets in the clouds, it produces acid rain.

Question 17

how is nitrogen dioxide formed, where is it emitted from and what are the negative effects of it?

Answer 17

formed in high temperature vehicle engines. nitrogen and oxygen from air fuse together to form nitrogen dioxide.
emitted from
-hot vehicle engines
-in large hot developed cities
it irritates the lungs and when dissolved in water droplets in the cloud, causes acid rain.

Question 18

how are carbon particulates formed, where is it emitted from and what are the negative effects of it?

Answer 18

formed from incomplete combustion meaning there isn’t enough o2 so excess carbon is emitted as molecules.
emitted from
-any incomplete combustion
causes lung irritation and global dimming.

Question 19

what are catalytic converters?

Answer 19

a devise that is fitted into the exhaust pipe of a car to clean up the exhaust fumes.

Question 20

what are the four layers of the atmosphere? list them in order from closest to earth to furthest away.

Answer 20

troposphere > stratosphere > mesosphere > thermosphere

Question 21

what are the three main gases that make up todays air?

Answer 21

oxygen, nitrogen and argon.

Question 22

what are biofuels?

Answer 22

fuels produced from plant material.

Question 23

what are some advantages and disadvantages of using biofuels.

Answer 23

\+biofuels are carbon neutral 
\+biofuels are biodegradable 
\+they are renewable 
\+they're cheaper than many other fuels 
-water is needed for irrigation (of crops)
-land needed for growing crops.