Chemistry Of The Atmosphere

Question 1

What is the current composition of Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 1

• 80% nitrogen
• 20% oxygen
• less than 1% other gases (like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and noble gases).

Question 2

What gases was the Earth’s early atmosphere mainly made of?

Answer 2

• Carbon dioxide, with smaller amounts of water vapor
• nitrogen
• methane
• ammonia

Question 3

What gases did volcanic activity release in Earth’s early history?

Answer 3

• Carbon dioxide
• Water Vapor
• Nitrogen
• Methane
• Ammonia

Question 4

How were Earth’s oceans formed?

Answer 4

Water vapor in the atmosphere condensed into liquid water

Question 5

How was carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere in Earth’s early history?

Answer 5

It dissolved into the oceans and formed carbon precipitates, which became sediments on the seabed

Question 6

How did photosynthesis change the atmosphere?

Answer 6

It decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels

Question 7

How are crude oil and natural gas formed?

Answer 7

From dead plankton buried under layers of sediment over millions of years

Question 8

What is coal made from?

Answer 8

Thick deposits of dead plant material compressed over millions of years

Question 9

What is limestone made of?

Answer 9

Calcium carbonate from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms

Question 10

How do sedimentary rocks trap carbon?

Answer 10

By burying plant and animal remains, which contain carbon, over time.

Question 11

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 11

Is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by human activities

Question 12

Give three examples of things with a carbon footprint

Answer 12

• A product (e.g., a phone)
• A service (e.g., plane travel)
• an event (e.g., a festival)

Question 13

Why is it useful to measure carbon footprints?

Answer 13

It helps
- Identify the most polluting activities
- Compare emissions
- Make plans to reduce them

Question 14

Why is measuring carbon footprints difficult?

Answer 14

It requires considering raw materials, manufacturing, energy use, disposal, and transportation, which are complex and hard to track

Question 15

What are two ways to reduce carbon footprints?

Answer 15

• Use renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar, nuclear)
• Adopt efficient manufacturing processes

Question 16

Why is reducing waste important in reducing carbon footprints?

Answer 16

Waste is broken down by decomposers, which can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas

Question 17

How can governments help reduce emissions?

Answer 17

By introducing new laws, taxing companies based on emissions, and promoting carbon capture technology

Question 18

What is carbon capture technology?

Answer 18

A method to capture carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels and store it underground to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere

Question 19

Why is reducing emissions difficult?

Answer 19

Renewable energy is more expensive, economies rely on fossil fuels, and international agreements are hard to enforce

Question 20

What can individuals do to help reduce carbon footprints?

Answer 20

Be mindful of their consumption and make lifestyle changes to reduce emissions

Question 21

What are the products of complete combustion of a hydrocarbon?

Answer 21

• Water (H₂O)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Question 22

What happens during incomplete combustion, and what does it produce?

Answer 22

Occurs when there is not enough oxygen

Question 23

What does Incomplete Combustion produce?

Answer 23

Produces carbon monoxide (CO) and particulates (soot)

Question 24

What are two problems caused by particulates?

Answer 24

• They can get stuck in the lungs and cause respiratory problems
• They cause global dimming by reflecting sunlight back into space.

Question 25

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

Answer 25

It binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport in the blood, which can lead to fainting, coma, or death

Question 26

Why is carbon monoxide hard to detect?

Answer 26

It is colorless and odorless

Question 27

How is sulfur dioxide formed?

Answer 27

- By burning hydrocarbons that contain sulfur impurities - The sulfur is oxidized to form sulfur dioxide gas

Question 28

When are nitrogen oxides formed?

Answer 28

When nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperatures, such as in car engines

Question 29

What are the effects of acid rain?

Answer 29

- It damages buildings and statues by corroding metals and stones. - It harms plants by making the soil acidic and directly damaging leaves.

Question 30

What is global dimming?

Answer 30

A process where particulates in the atmosphere reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of light reaching the Earth's surface

Question 31

Which pollutants can cause respiratory problems?

Answer 31

- Particulates - Sulfur Dioxide - Nitrogen Oxides

Question 32

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 32

The warming of the Earth's surface caused by greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere

Question 33

What gases are considered greenhouse gases?

Answer 33

- Carbon dioxide - Methane - Water vapor.

Question 34

How does the greenhouse effect work?

Answer 34

Sunlight (short-wavelength radiation) passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth. The Earth then re-emits energy as longer-wavelength radiation, which is absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gases, keeping heat close to Earth.

Question 35

What causes global warming?

Answer 35

Global warming is caused by the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Question 36

What is the difference between global warming and climate change?

Answer 36

Global warming refers to the rise in Earth's temperature, while climate change refers to the broader effects of global warming on long-term weather patterns, including more severe weather events and sea-level rise.

Question 37

What human activities increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

Answer 37

Burning fossil fuels and deforestation both contribute to higher carbon dioxide levels.

Question 38

How do farm animals contribute to increased methane levels?

Answer 38

Farm animals produce methane during digestion, which is released into the atmosphere.

Question 39

How does waste contribute to methane emissions?

Answer 39

Waste, when decomposed by microorganisms, can release methane into the atmosphere.

Question 40

What are some consequences of global warming?

Answer 40

Consequences include more severe and frequent weather events (e.g., droughts, floods, hurricanes), sea level rise, and changes in ecosystems.

Question 41

How does sea level rise occur?

Answer 41

Sea level rise occurs because higher temperatures melt ice, which adds water to the oceans, and warmer water expands, increasing ocean volume.

Question 42

What is the impact of climate change on wildlife?

Answer 42

Climate change can lead to the extinction of species that cannot adapt to new conditions or migrate quickly enough, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

Question 43

What is deforestation and how does it affect global warming?

Answer 43

Deforestation is the clearing of trees, which reduces the amount of photosynthesis that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Question 44

How are rare weather events affected by global warming?

Answer 44

Rare weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, are becoming more common and severe due to global warming.

Question 45

What is the impact of rising ocean temperatures on sea levels?

Answer 45

Rising ocean temperatures cause water to expand, contributing to the rise in sea levels.

Question 46

What term describes long-term weather patterns across the entire planet?

Answer 46

The term "climate" describes long-term weather patterns across the globe.