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GCSE Triple Chemistry > Chemistry of the Atmosphere > Flashcards

Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

What percentage of the Modern atmosphere is Nitrogen?

A

78%

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2
Q

What percentage of the modern atmosphere is Oxygen?

A

21%

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3
Q

Name 3 gases that make up less than 1% of the atmosphere

A

Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapour, Noble Gases

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4
Q

How old is the Earth approximately?

A

4.5 billion years old

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5
Q

Why can’t we be certain about the Early atmosphere?

A

Evidence is limited because it was 4.5 billion years ago

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6
Q

Where do scientists believe that the gases in our atmosphere came from?

A

Intense volcanic activity during the first 1 billion years

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7
Q

How were the oceans formed?

A

The water vapour released by the volcanoes condensed to form oceans as the Earth cooled

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8
Q

In the early stages of the earth what gas made up most of the atmosphere?

A

Carbon Dioxide

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9
Q

What do scientists compare the Early atmosphere with?

A

With the atmospheres of Mars and Venus

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10
Q

Name 2 differences between the early atmosphere and the modern atmosphere

A
  • Early atmosphere was mostly CO2, but modern atmosphere contains less than 1%
  • Modern atmosphere contains 21% Oxygen, early atmosphere had little to none
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11
Q

Name two ways in which the Carbon Dioxide in the early atmosphere was removed

A
  1. Some CO2 dissolved to form a weak acid, which reacted in minerals in the sea to form precipitates, which then formed sediments on the sea bed
  2. Some CO2 was used to form corals and shells of organisms. When these organisms died they formed limestone
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12
Q

How did the percentage oxygen in the atmosphere increase?

A

Over time plants evolved to become photosynthetic which releases oxygen

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13
Q

What is meant by a fossil fuel?

A

A non-renewable energy resource formed over millions of years

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14
Q

What do all fossil fuels contain?

A

Trapped carbon from photosynthesis

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15
Q

How is coal formed?

A
  1. Coal is formed from ferns and trees that die in wetlands and don’t decompose
  2. Over time, these plant remains are covered with sediment and compressed
  3. This creates high heat and pressure which forms coal
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16
Q

What conditions can prevent decomposition from happening?

A
  • Acidic conditions
  • Lack of Oxygen
17
Q

How is Crude Oil formed?

A
  1. When plankton die they settle on the mud in the seabed
  2. If oxygen is not present these plankton do not decompose
  3. Over time these are compressed by sediment
  4. Heat and pressure convert them into crude oil
18
Q

Why is Natural Gas often found near oil supplies?

A

They are both formed from plankton

19
Q

Name 3 fossil fuels

A
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural Gas
20
Q

Name 2 Greenhouse gases

A
  • Water Vapour
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Methane
21
Q

Explain the Greenhouse effect:

A
  • Short wavelength radiation from the sun passes through the Earth’s Atmosphere easily and is absorbed by the surface of the Earth
  • The Earth’s surface radiates this energy as long wavelength radiation which can’t pass through the atmosphere
  • This trapped atmosphere causes the Earth to heat up
22
Q

Why is Greenhouse Effect necessary?

A

It keeps the earth warm enough to sustain life

23
Q

Which greenhouse gases are increasing due to human activity?

A

Carbon Dioxide and Methane

24
Q

Name 2 human activities are affecting the levels of Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere

A
  • Burning fossil fuels
  • Deforestation
  • Burning Trees
25
Q

Name 2 human activities are affecting the levels of Methane in our atmosphere

A
  • Agriculture
  • Breeding cows because they fart methane
26
Q

Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to Global warming?

A

Because they contain trapped Carbon Dioxide that is released when burnt

27
Q

Why does burning trees contribute to Global warming?

A

Because they contain absorbed Carbon Dioxide that is released when burnt

28
Q

Why does deforestation contribute to Global warming?

A

It means there’s less trees to absorb the Carbon Dioxide so there’s more left in our atmosphere

29
Q

What are Greenhouse gases?

A

Gases in our atmosphere that are impenetrable to long wavelength radiation

30
Q

Why do rising CO2 and Methane levels contribute to global warming?

A

They are greenhouse gases which are impenetrable to IR radiation. More greenhouse gases means more heat trapped in the atmosphere

31
Q

What is meant by Carbon Footprint?

A

The total amount of Carbon Dioxide emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.

32
Q

Name 3 ways we can reduce our Carbon Footprint

A
  • Insulating our homes well
  • Using public transport
  • Switch to renewable energy resources
  • Use less energy in the home
  • Eat less beef and dairy
33
Q

Name 3 products of combustion of fossils fuels

A
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Water Vapour
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Sulphur Dioxide
  • Oxides of Nitrogen
  • Carbon Particulates
34
Q

What type of combustion releases Carbon Dioxide?

A

Complete

35
Q

What type of combustion releases Carbon Monoxide?

A

Incomplete

36
Q

What problems do Sulphur Dioxide and Oxides of nitrogen cause?

A

Breathing problems and acid rain

37
Q

What problems do Carbon particulates?

A

Can damage lungs and cause global dimming

GCSE Triple Chemistry (9 decks)

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