Chemistry of the Atmosphere C9

Question 1

What were the main gases released by volcanoes during the first billion years of Earth’s history?

Answer 1

The early atmosphere was probably mostly carbon dioxide, with virtually no oxygen.

This is quite like the atmospheres of Mars and Venus today.

Question 2

What other gases were released by volcanic activity besides carbon dioxide?

Answer 2

Volcanic activity also released nitrogen, water vapor, and small amounts of methane and ammonia.

Question 3

What formed the oceans in Earth’s early atmosphere?

Answer 3

When the water vapor in the atmosphere condensed, it formed the oceans.

Question 4

How was carbon dioxide removed from the early atmosphere?

Answer 4

Lots of carbon dioxide was removed as it dissolved in the oceans, forming carbonate precipitates that created sediments.

Question 5

What role did green plants and algae play in the atmosphere?

Answer 5

Green plants and algae absorbed carbon dioxide to carry out photosynthesis.

Question 6

What happened to the carbon taken in by organisms after they died?

Answer 6

Some of the carbon became locked up in rocks and fossil fuels after the organisms died.

Question 7

What are fossil fuels and how are they formed?

Answer 7

Fossil fuels like coal, crude oil, and natural gas are formed from deposits of plankton and plant remains that get buried and compressed over millions of years.

Question 8

What is limestone primarily made of?

Answer 8

Limestone is mostly made of calcium carbonate deposits from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms.

Question 9

When did algae evolve and what was their significance?

Answer 9

Algae evolved about 2.7 billion years ago and produced oxygen through photosynthesis.

Question 10

What is the photosynthesis equation?

Answer 10

carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Question 11

What was the composition of the atmosphere about 200 million years ago?

Answer 11

The atmosphere reached a composition of approximately 80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and small amounts of other gases.

Question 12

How do we learn about the atmosphere’s history?

Answer 12

We learn about the atmosphere from Antarctic ice cores, where layers of ice trap bubbles of air.

Question 13

What are greenhouse gases?

Answer 13

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor act like an insulating layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the Earth to be warm enough to support life.

Question 14

How do greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect?

Answer 14

Greenhouse gases absorb long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off the Earth and re-radiate it in all directions, including back towards the Earth, resulting in warming of the surface.

Question 15

What human activities increase greenhouse gases?

Answer 15

Deforestation, burning fossil fuels, agriculture, and creating waste all contribute to increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Question 16

What is the link between carbon dioxide and climate change?

Answer 16

Most scientists agree that the extra carbon dioxide from human activity is causing an increase in the Earth’s average temperature, leading to climate change.

Question 17

Why is understanding the Earth’s climate complex?

Answer 17

The Earth’s climate is complex due to many variables, making it hard to create accurate models.

Question 18

What are potential consequences of climate change?

Answer 18

An increase in global temperature could lead to polar ice caps melting, causing a rise in sea levels, increased flooding in coastal areas, and coastal erosion.

Question 19

How might climate change affect rainfall patterns?

Answer 19

Changes in rainfall patterns may cause some regions to get too much or too little water, affecting their ability to sustain life.

Question 20

What impact could climate change have on wildlife?

Answer 20

Changes in temperature and water availability in a habitat may affect wild species, leading to differences in their distribution.

Question 21

What are carbon footprints?

Answer 21

Carbon footprints are a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something.

Question 22

What can be measured in terms of carbon footprints?

Answer 22

Carbon footprints can be measured for services (e.g. the school bus), events (e.g. the Olympics), products (e.g. a toastie maker), and almost anything.

Question 23

Why is measuring carbon footprints difficult?

Answer 23

Measuring the total carbon footprint can be hard due to the many factors to consider, such as emissions from sourcing parts, manufacturing, usage, and disposal.

Question 24

What can be done to reduce carbon footprints?

Answer 24

Methods to reduce carbon footprints include using renewable energy sources, improving efficiency, taxing emissions, capping emissions, and capturing CO2 before it’s released.

Question 25

What is a challenge in reducing carbon footprints?

Answer 25

A challenge is that many governments worry that making changes will impact economic growth, especially in developing countries.

Question 26

What complicates international agreements on emissions reduction?

Answer 26

It’s hard to make international agreements because many countries don’t want to sacrifice their economic development if others won’t do the same.

Question 27

What is a barrier for individuals in developed countries regarding emissions reduction?

Answer 27

Individuals may find it hard to make lifestyle changes if they don’t want to and lack education on why changes are necessary.

Question 28

What is the relationship between carbon emissions and global warming?

Answer 28

Carbon emissions can lead to global warming, but there are steps we can take to cut our carbon dioxide emissions.

Question 29

Who has the biggest carbon footprint?

Answer 29

Clowns, humorously stated, have the biggest carbon footprint.