C9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere

Question 1

What is Phase 1 of the atmosphere’s evolution?

Answer 1

Volcanoes giving out gases

Question 2

What is Phase 2 of the atmosphere’s evolution?

Answer 2

Oceans, green plants and algae absorb CO2

Question 3

What is Phase 3 of the atmosphere’s evolution?

Answer 3

Green plants and algae producing oxygen

Question 4

What are the %s of gases in today’s atmosphere?

Answer 4

• 80% nitrogen, approx.
• 20% oxygen, approx.
• 1% other gases (CO2, noble gases and water vapour)

Question 5

What are crude oil and natural gases formed from?

Answer 5

Deposits of plankton under the seabed, trapped in rocks

Question 6

What kind of human activity affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Answer 6

1) Deforestation - fewer trees means less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere
2) Burning fossil fuels - CO2 is released from the fuels
3) Agriculture - more farm animals produce more methane through their digestive processes
4) Creating waste - more landfill sites means more CO2

Question 7

What type of energy do greenhouse gases absorb?

Answer 7

They absorb the long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off Earth

Question 8

What type of energy do greenhouse gases NOT absorb?

Answer 8

They DON’T absorb incoming short wavelength radiation from the Sun

Question 9

An increase in global temperature could lead to what?

Answer 9

• Polar ice caps melting
• Changes in rainfall patterns
• Increased severity and frequency of storms
• Effects of wild species, leading to differences in their distribution