Chemistry of the atmosphere- paper 2

Question 1

What is Phase 1 of the evolution of the atmosphere? 3

Answer 1

1)first billion years surface volcanoes erupted released lots of gases. =early atmosphere formed.
2) mostly carbon dioxide, No oxygen.
3)Volcanic activity released nitrogen, built up atmosphere, water vapour small amounts of methane and ammonia.

Question 2

Phase 2 of the evolution of the atmosphere? 3

Answer 2

1)water vapour condensed, form oceans.
2) Lots carbon dioxide removed dissolved in the oceans.
3)dissolved carbon dioxide series of reactions form carbonate precipitates formed sediments on seabed.

Question 3

How do fossil/ sedminetry rocks form? 2

Answer 3

1)die, fall to the seabed buried by layers of sediment.
2)millions of years, compressed form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas - trapping carbon in= keep co2 levels reduced in atmosphere..

Question 4

How are fossil fuels made? 2 +example

Answer 4

1)Crude oil, natural gas formed deposits of plankton.
2) fossil fuels form reservoirs under seabed when trapped in rocks.
3)Coal is a sedimentary rock made from thick plant deposits.

Question 5

Gas levels in the Earth?
Photosynthesis equation (2)?

Answer 5

78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
0.9% argon
0.1% other

Question 6

How does the greenhouse effect work? 2 4
.enhanced green house effect
.3 green house gases

Answer 6

1. short wavelength radiation from the sun strikes Earth’s surface absorbed re-emitted surface Earth infrared radiation longer wavelength
2. radiation, trapped inside the Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases absorb and store the energy
3. Carbon dioxide, methaneandwater vapour Greenhouse gases (maintain the temperatures Earth greenhouse effect)
4. Without greenhouse gases, temperature Earth would not support life
5. increasing levels green house gases trapping extra heat energy
6. =enhanced greenhouse effect

Question 7

How does human activity affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? 4

Answer 7

1)Deforestation: fewer trees means less CO, removed atmosphere photosynthesis.
2)Burning fossil fuels: carbon that was “locked up’ fuels is released as CO2
3)Agriculture: farm animals produce methane digestive processes.
4)Creating waste: more landfill sites and more waste CO2 methane decomposition

Question 8

Why is it hard to understand climate of the earth? 2
Why must we make predictions?

Answer 8

1) many variables, very hard
2) speculation media –biased some information given.
3) important make predictions consequences=climate change policy-makers make decisions.

Question 9

How can Climate Change Have Dangerous Consequences? 4

Answer 9

1)increase global temperature polar ice caps melting =rise in sea levels, increased flooding coastal areas+ erosion.
2) Changes rainfall patterns regions too much too little water. Reduced produce food.
3) frequency severity storms increase.
4)Changes temperature water available habitat affect species=differences distribution.

Question 10

What are Carbon Footprints and how are they Tricky to Measure? 3

Answer 10

1) measure amount co2 greenhouse gases released full life cycle of something.
2) diffrent factors count emissions released= sourcing all parts emissions produced use it dispose.
3) rough calculation good idea worst emitters- people avoid future.

Question 11

What are the Ways of Reducing Carbon Footprints? 5

Answer 11

1)Renewable energy sources
2) efficient processes conserve energy cut waste.
3)Governments tax based on amount greenhouse gases emit
4)Governments cap emission greenhouse gases companies sell licences emissions up cap.
5)technology captures CO2 produced burning fossil fuels before released atmosphere -stored underground cracks.

Question 12

Why is it hard to reduce emissions? 4

Answer 12

1) alternative technologies lower CO2 emissions.
2) impact economic growth
3) hard international agreements reduce emissions. sacrifice economic development
4). hard get people make changes if they don’t want to

Question 13

How does the Combustion of Fossil Fuels Releases Gases and Particles happen? 4

Answer 13

1)Fossil fuels hydrocarbons. combustion, carbon hydrogen oxidised=carbon dioxide water vapour
2)plenty of oxygen, fuel burns=complete combustion.
3)not enough oxygen, some fuel doesn’t burn= incomplete combustion.
4) IC=particulates of soot (carbon)+unburnt fuel= carbon monoxide

Question 14

What problems can particulates cause? 2

Answer 14

1)particulates inhaled, stuck in lungs= damage.= respiratory problems.
2)bad environment=clouds produce, reflect sunlight back into space. less light Earth=global dimming.

Question 15

What problems does carbon monoxide cause? 4

Answer 15

1)Carbon monoxide dangerous because stop blood carrying oxygen around body
2) binding haemoglobin in your blood<normally carries Oxygen
- less oxygen transported round body
3)lack of oxygen in the blood lead to fainting, death
4)NO colour or smell, hard to detect=dangerous.

Question 16

What is bad about sulfur Dioxide and Oxides Nitrogen, how are they made and what do they do? 5

Answer 16

1)Sulfur dioxide released combustion hydrocarbons, contain sulfur impurities= sulfur fuel becomes oxidised.
2) Nitrogen oxides created from a reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in air, caused by heat of the burning.(internal combustion engines of cars.)
3) they mix= clouds form dilute sulfuric acid, dilute nitric acid=acid rain.
4) kills plants also by making soil too acidic= harder to grow damages buildings statues=metal corrode.
5)cause respiratory problems breathed in.

Question 17

Phase 3 of the earths history? 3

Answer 17

1)Green plants algae evolved absorbed carbon dioxide photosynthesis.
2)marine animals evolved. shells+skeletons contained carbonates from oceans.
3) carbon organisms took oceans locked up rocks=fossil fuels organisms died.