Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards
What happened in the first phase?
The surface was covered in volcanoes that erupted and released gases forming the early atmosphere
What gases made to the early atmosphere?
> Early atmosphere comprised of mainly carbon dioxide, with small amounts of methane and ammonia.
Volcanic Activity released nitrogen as well as water vapour and small amounts of methane and ammonia that built up the atmosphere
What happened in the second phase?
> The water vapor condensed and formed the oceans.
Carbon dioxide was lost as it was removed from the early atmosphere, dissolving in the oceans.
The dissolved Carbon dioxide reacted and formed carbon precipitates that formed sediments on the seabed.
Green plants and algae evolved and absorbed the carbon dioxide so they could carry out photosynthesis.
Marine animals, evolved. Their skeletons and shells contained carbonates, when they took it from the atmosphere became rocks and fossil fuels over time.
What happened in the third phase?
> Plants and algae via photosynthesis absorbed carbon dioxide and released oxygen. (2.7 billion years ago)
Over the next billion years, plants evolved and produced oxygen by photosynthesis and as oxygen levels rose to sustain complex organisms they evolved also
For approximately how many years have the proportion of gases in the atmosphere stayed the same?
200 million years
What are the approximate proportions of nitrogen and oxygen in our atmosphere
> Nitrogen (4/5 or 80%)
>Oxygen (1/5 or 20%)
Other than Nitrogen and Oxygen, name some gases that are present in very small quantities in our atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Noble gases
What are the three greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Water
What factors are the Earth dependant on?
> How much heat energy it absorbs from the sun
>How much energy it loses from radiation
How do greenhouse gases contribute to the rising temperature of the atmosphere?
Greenhouses gases reduce the amount of energy lost via radiation by acting as an insulating layer
What are the consequences of the rising temperature of the atmosphere?
> Ice caps melting==>loss of habitats leading to biodiversity, sea levels rising
Increasing temperature==> heating up of liquid, expansion of liquid leads to sea levels rising
Interference in the water cycle ==> changes in rainfall patterns leading in changes in crop production.
What factors have lead to the rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere?
> Combustion
>Deforestation
What is a carbon footprint?
A measure of CO2/greenhouse gases over a certain event
What are the means of reducing carbon footprint?
> Renewable energy or nuclear energy instead of fossil fuels
Energy efficient processes to conserve energy
Cap greenhouse gasses produced
Taxing companies on amounts of greenhouse gases they produce.
Capture CO2 and store it deep underground e.g oil wells
What are the products of complete combustion?
CO2+Water
