C9- Chemistry Of The Atmosphere

Question 1

Phase 1

Answer 1

Volcanoes gave out gases, early atmosphere was mostly carbon dioxide with virtually no oxygen, volcanoes also released nitrogen which built up in atmosphere overtime

Question 2

Phase 2

Answer 2

Oceans, alge and green plants absorbed carbon dioxide,the dissolved carbon dioxide went through a series of reactions to form sediments while plants absorbed carbon dioxide for photosynthesis

Question 3

Phase 3

Answer 3

Green plants and alge produced oxygen through photosynthesis and as oxygen levels built up more complex life could evolve

Question 4

Composition for gases in atmosphere

Answer 4

80%nitrogen, 20% oxygen, 1% carbon dioxide

Question 5

Greenhouse gases

Answer 5

Act as insulating layers in earth’s atmosphere

Question 6

Greenhouse effect

Answer 6

Greenhouse gases absorb long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off the earth. They re-radiate it in all directions towards the earth. The longwave radiation is thermal radiation so it warms the earth

Question 7

Human activities which affect greenhouse gases

Answer 7

Deforestation, burning fossil fuels, agricultures, creating waste

Question 8

Why is carbon dioxide increasing leading to climate change seen believed now

Answer 8

Peer- reviewed so this info is now reliable

Question 9

Consequences of climate change

Answer 9

Increase in global temp, change in rainfall patterns, the frequency and severity of storms may increase, distribution of animals

Question 10

Carbon footprint

Answer 10

A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gaes released over the full life cycle of something

Question 11

Ways of reducing carbon footprint

Answer 11

Renewable energy sources could be used instead of fossil fuels, more efficient proccesses, government could tax companies based of on green house gas emission, gov can put cap on emissions, technology can catch carbon dioxide beofre it’s rleased into atmosphere

Question 12

Why making carbon footprint reductions is hard

Answer 12

A lot of work to be done for alternative tech, governements worried about economic growth of communities, hard to make international agreements, hard to get people to change

Question 13

Incomplete combustion

Answer 13

When there isn’t enough oxygen some fuels don’t burn and solid particles and unburnt fuels are released and carbon monoxide can be produced

Question 14

Consequences of air particulates released into atmosphere

Answer 14

If particulates inhaled, they can get stuck in lungs and cause damage, pariculates produce clouds which reflect sunlight back into space causing global dimming

Question 15

Consequences of caebon monoxide released into atmosphere

Answer 15

Can stop blood from carrying oxygen by binding to haemoglobin

Question 16

Consequnces of sulfurdioxide and oxides of nitrogen released

Answer 16

When they mix they mix with clouds they form dilute sulfuric acid causing acid rain which kills plants and damages buildings