Chemistry Topic 9 - Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
Describe the earth’s early atmosphere and how it was formed
-earth was hot when formed
-significant volcanic activity
-gases have been released from these volcanoes
-these gases include: carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapour
How did the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere increase?
-algae and plants produced the atmospheric oxygen by photosynthesis
-as the amount of tov oxygen gradually increased, there were more plants that produced more oxygen
How did the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease?
-some carbon dioxide was dissolved in the oceans, where it reacted with metal ions to form insoluble carbonates or was taken in by animals and became part of their skeleton
-some carbon dioxide was used in photosynthesis to make oxygen
What is the greenhouse effect? What are greenhouse gases?
-greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Maintain temperatures on earth high enough o support life
-some examples include water Vapour, carbon dioxide, and methane
Why is the greenhouse effect necessary for life?
Th greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon. Without it, the earth would be too cold for life to exist
How have human activities led to an increase in greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide - combustion and deforestation
Methane - increased farming and decomposition in landfills
What are the potential effects of global climate change?
-sea levels rise, which may cause flooding and increased coastal erosion
-more frequent and severe storms
-temperature and water stress for humans and wildlife
-changes in amount of rainfall
-changes to distribution of wildlife species
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over he full life cycle of a product, service or event
What action scan be taken to reduce a carbon footprint?
-increased use of alternative energy supplies
-energy conservation
-carbon taxes
-carbon off-setting including tree planting
What are the problems of reducing the carbon footprint?
-scientific disagreement over causes and consequences of global climate change
-lack of public education
-economic considerations
What are the advantages of complete combustion?
-less soot made
-more heat per gram of fuel is released
-poisonous carbon monoxide is not produced
How is pollution caused by combustion?
-when a fuel burns, the gases released to the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen
-solid particles and unturned hydrocarbons may also be released that form particulates in the atmosphere
What are the issues regarding sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen?
Soulful dioxide and oxides of nitrogen cause respiratory problems in humans and cause acid rain - acid rain damages plants and buildings
What problem do particulates cause?
Particulates, such as carbon particles, cause global dimming by reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the earth’s surface. Particulates cause health problems for humans because of damage to the lungs
