Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

The earth formed

A

4.6 billion years ago

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2
Q

Intense volcanic activity releases

A

Mainly carbon dioxide
Water vapour which condensed to form the oceans
Small proportions of methane and ammonia
Nitrogen which builds up

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3
Q

Green plants and algae evolve and

A

Carbon dioxide is reduced and oxygen increased photosynthesis
Lots of oxygen-microorganisms that can’t cope are killer off
Carbon becomes trapped in sedimentary rock formed from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms
Other gases react with oxygen to form nitrogen
Nitrogen also produced by bacteria removing nitrates from decaying plant material

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4
Q

Proportion of gases now

A

78% nitrogen
21%oxygem
Small amounts of carbon dioxide and other noble gases

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5
Q

Water vapour

A

Present in varying quantities

0-3%

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6
Q

Oxygen increased due to

A

Algae and plants photosynthesis

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7
Q

Photosynthesis equation

A

*

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8
Q

Algae first started producing

A

Oxygen

2.7 billion years ago

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9
Q

As plants evolved

A

Amount of oxygen increased

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10
Q

When the amount of oxygen increased enough

A

To allow animals to evolve

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11
Q

Carbon dioxide decreased

A

As plants and algae evolve
Photosynthesis
Becomes Locked in sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
Limestone formed from skeletons and shells etc
Coal formed from plant deposits that were buried and compressed
Reaction between CO2 and sea water
-insoluble carbonates that are deposited as sediment
-soluble hydrogen carbonates
Too much CO2 in ocean can harm sea life such as corals

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12
Q

Sun gives out

A

High energy
Short wavelength
Infrared radiation

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13
Q

Radiation from the sun

A

Passes through the atmosphere and reaches the earths surface

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14
Q

Some radiation is absorbed by

A

The earths surface

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15
Q

Lower energy longer wavelength infrared radiation is

A

Reflected by earths surface

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16
Q

Greenhouse gases absorb

In earths atmosphere

A

Absorb the outgoing infrared radiation which increase the earths temperature

17
Q

Without greenhouse gases

A

The earth would be too cold for water to be liquid and would not be able to support life

18
Q

Greenhouse gases include

A

Carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Methane

19
Q

Human activities can

A

Increase the level of greenhouse gases

20
Q

The amnout of CO2 has

A

Increased over the last 100 years

This correlated with the amount of fossil fuels being burned

21
Q

Fossil fuels contain

A

Carbon that has been locked up for millions of years

22
Q

Burning fossil fuels

A

Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

23
Q

Déforestation also leads to

A

An increase in CO2 as there are fewer trees to take in the gas during photosynthesis

24
Q

Activities that increase methane

A

Décomposition of rubbish in landfills

Increase of animal farming - during digestion and the decomposition of their waste

25
Q

Many scientists believe

A

Increase in greenhouse gases will increase the earth surfaces temperature and could result in global climate change

26
Q

It is difficult to produce

A

An accurate model for such a complicated system
So people use simplified models
So people think it is only part the evidence

27
Q

Some people’s viewed are

A

Biased

People being paid by companies

28
Q

If the global temperature increases

A

This could cause global climate change

29
Q

A rise in sea level could cause

A

Floods and coastal erosion

30
Q

More frequent severe storms

A

Change in the amount of timing and rainfal

Some receive more and some much less

31
Q

An increased number of heatwave

A

Harmful to people and wildlife

Droughts

32
Q

Changes in plants and animals

A

Becomes too hot for somenew habitats were it becomes warmer

33
Q

Food shortages

A

Too hot for some countries to produce

34
Q

Carbon footprint is

A

Is the amount CO2 and other greenhouse gases that are emitted over its fulllife cycle

35
Q

Carbon footprint can be reduced through

A
Using alternative energy
Wasting less energy
Carbon capture and storage 
Carbon taxes 
Carbon off setting- planting trees
Encouraging carbon neutral products
36
Q

Problems with reducing the carbon footprint

A
Disagreements between scientists 
Lack of info and knowledge 
Reluctant people 
Economic considerations- alternative energy supply’s
Disagreements between countries