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