Chemistry of the atmosphere Flashcards
What percentage of the atmosphere is made up nitrogen
80 %
What percentage of the atmosphere is made of oxygen
20%
What percentage of the atmosphere is made of argon
0.93%
What percentage of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide
0.04%
How did oxygen increase with algae and plants
These produced oxygen that is now in the atmosphere through photosynthesis
What is the equation photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + water —> glucose + oxygen
What is a balanced equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O —-> C6 H12 06 + 6O2
Oxygen in the atmosphere was first produced by algae ….. years ago
2.7 billion
Over the next billion years plants evolved to about to gradually produce more oxygen,
what did this do
Gradually increased to a level that enabled animals to evolve
Billions of years ago there was an intense volcanic activity
This released gases mainly CO2 that formed to early atmosphere and water vapour condensed to form oceans
Other gases released from volcanic eruptions
Nitrogen was also released, gradually building up in the atmosphere
Small proportions of ammonia and methane were also produced.
Reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
When the oceans formed carbon dioxide dissolved into it
Explain how oceans forming meant there was a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
This formed carbonate precipitates, forming sediments.
Reducing levels off carbon dioxide of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
How did algae and plants reduce the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
They absorbed it for photosynthesis
How did the formation of sedimentary rocks are fossil fuels decrease carbon dioxide levels
Remains are biological matter fall to the bottom of the ocean.
Over millions of years layers of sediment sets on top of them and puts huge pressure then they turn them into coal oil natural gas and sedimentary rock.
This sedimentary rock contains carbon dioxide from the biological matter
What is the definition of carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gasses emitted over the full life cycle of product/The Event.
Can be reduced by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide methane
Greenhouse gases that maintain temperatures on earth in order to support life
Carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane
What is the greenhouse effect
Radiation from the sun enters the atmosphere reflects off the Earth
Some of this radiation is re-radiated back by the atmosphere to the earth warming up global temperatures
What do humans do to the levels of carbon dioxide
Increase the levels due to Burning fossil fuels and deforestation
What humans do the level of methane
Increase the levels due to high levels of livestock and using landfills
Human involvement with climate change
There is evidence to suggest that human activities will cause the earths atmospheric temperatures to increase and cause climate changetemperatures to increase and cause climate change
Effects of climate change
Rising sea levels
Extreme weather
Change in the amount of distribution of rainfall
Extinction of certain species
Atmospheric pollutants from combustion of fuels
Source of atmospheric pollutants most fuels contain some sulphur
Atmospheric pollutants from Burning fuels
Carbon dioxide Water vapour Carbon monoxide Sulphur dioxide Oxides of nitrogen
(PARTICULATES) Solid particles and un burned hydrocarbons released when
Burning fuels
Features of Carbon monoxide
Toxic
Colourless and odourless gas
Not easily detected and can kill
Features of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen
Cause respiratory problems and in humans in an acid rain which affects the environment
Features of particulates
Cause global dimming and health problems in humans
