C9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards
What gases were released by volcanoes to form the earth?s early atmosphere?
Nitrogen, water vapour, carbon dioxide some ammonia and methane
What happened to the water vapour?
Condensed to form oceans
Why did carbon dioxide levels go down?
Some locked in rocks, some dissolved in oceans, some taken in by plants during photosynthesis
What was the first organism to use the carbon dioxide?
Algae
Why did the oxygen levels increase?
Released in photosynthesis
What type of radiation does the earth emit when the sun warms it up?
Infra red radiation
What are the three main greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide and methane and water
What are two main things that humans do that increase the levels of greenhouse gases?
Burn fossil fuels, farm animals
What affects could climate change have on our weather?
Increased risk of flooding and drought, extreme weather events e.g. hurricanes
What is carbon footprint?
Total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the lifetime of a product or event.
How can we reduce our carbon footprint?
Reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane e.g. burn less fossil fuels (use alternatives), use more energy efficient devices, eat less meat
What gas is made when sulphur impurities in coal burn?
Sulphur dioxide
What does sulfur dioxide gas cause?
Acid rain
What are the products of incomplete combustion?
Carbon monoxide and water, solid carbon
What gas is made when the nitrogen in the air burns at the high temperatures inside car engines?
Nitrous oxides
