Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the current composition of Earth’s atmosphere?
- 80% nitrogen
- 20% oxygen
- less than 1% other gases (like carbon dioxide, water vapor, and noble gases).
What gases was the Earth’s early atmosphere mainly made of?
- Carbon dioxide, with smaller amounts of water vapor
- nitrogen
- methane
- ammonia
What gases did volcanic activity release in Earth’s early history?
- Carbon dioxide
- Water Vapor
- Nitrogen
- Methane
- Ammonia
How were Earth’s oceans formed?
Water vapor in the atmosphere condensed into liquid water
How was carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere in Earth’s early history?
It dissolved into the oceans and formed carbon precipitates, which became sediments on the seabed
How did photosynthesis change the atmosphere?
It decreased carbon dioxide levels and increased oxygen levels
How are crude oil and natural gas formed?
From dead plankton buried under layers of sediment over millions of years
What is coal made from?
Thick deposits of dead plant material compressed over millions of years
What is limestone made of?
Calcium carbonate from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms
How do sedimentary rocks trap carbon?
By burying plant and animal remains, which contain carbon, over time.
What is a carbon footprint?
Is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by human activities
Give three examples of things with a carbon footprint
- A product (e.g., a phone)
- A service (e.g., plane travel)
- an event (e.g., a festival)
Why is it useful to measure carbon footprints?
It helps
- Identify the most polluting activities
- Compare emissions
- Make plans to reduce them
Why is measuring carbon footprints difficult?
It requires considering raw materials, manufacturing, energy use, disposal, and transportation, which are complex and hard to track
What are two ways to reduce carbon footprints?
- Use renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar, nuclear)
- Adopt efficient manufacturing processes
Why is reducing waste important in reducing carbon footprints?
Waste is broken down by decomposers, which can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas
How can governments help reduce emissions?
By introducing new laws, taxing companies based on emissions, and promoting carbon capture technology
What is carbon capture technology?
A method to capture carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels and store it underground to prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere
Why is reducing emissions difficult?
Renewable energy is more expensive, economies rely on fossil fuels, and international agreements are hard to enforce
What can individuals do to help reduce carbon footprints?
Be mindful of their consumption and make lifestyle changes to reduce emissions
What are the products of complete combustion of a hydrocarbon?
- Water (H₂O)
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
What happens during incomplete combustion, and what does it produce?
Occurs when there is not enough oxygen
What does Incomplete Combustion produce?
Produces carbon monoxide (CO) and particulates (soot)
What are two problems caused by particulates?
- They can get stuck in the lungs and cause respiratory problems
- They cause global dimming by reflecting sunlight back into space.
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
It binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport in the blood,
which can lead to fainting, coma, or death
Why is carbon monoxide hard to detect?
It is colorless and odorless
How is sulfur dioxide formed?
- By burning hydrocarbons that contain sulfur impurities
- The sulfur is oxidized to form sulfur dioxide gas
When are nitrogen oxides formed?
When nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at high temperatures, such as in car engines
What are the effects of acid rain?
- It damages buildings and statues by corroding metals and stones.
- It harms plants by making the soil acidic and directly damaging leaves.
What is global dimming?
A process where particulates in the atmosphere reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of light reaching the Earth’s surface
Which pollutants can cause respiratory problems?
- Particulates
- Sulfur Dioxide
- Nitrogen Oxides
What is the greenhouse effect?
The warming of the Earth’s surface caused by greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere
What gases are considered greenhouse gases?
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Water vapor.
How does the greenhouse effect work?
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.
What causes global warming?
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.
What is the difference between global warming and climate change?
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.
What human activities increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels and deforestation both contribute to higher carbon dioxide levels.
How do farm animals contribute to increased methane levels?
Farm animals produce methane during digestion, which is released into the atmosphere.
How does waste contribute to methane emissions?
Waste, when decomposed by microorganisms, can release methane into the atmosphere.
What are some consequences of global warming?
Consequences include more severe and frequent weather events (e.g., droughts, floods, hurricanes), sea level rise, and changes in ecosystems.
How does sea level rise occur?
Sea level rise occurs because higher temperatures melt ice, which adds water to the oceans, and warmer water expands, increasing ocean volume.
What is the impact of climate change on wildlife?
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.
What is deforestation and how does it affect global warming?
Deforestation is the clearing of trees, which reduces the amount of photosynthesis that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
How are rare weather events affected by global warming?
Rare weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, are becoming more common and severe due to global warming.
What is the impact of rising ocean temperatures on sea levels?
Rising ocean temperatures cause water to expand, contributing to the rise in sea levels.
What term describes long-term weather patterns across the entire planet?
The term “climate” describes long-term weather patterns across the globe.
