Chemstry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
What is the proportion of different gases in the atmosphere?
Nitrogen 80%
Oxygen 20%
Small proportions of other gases such as carbon dioxide
Why is evidence for the atmosphere limited?
Because of the timescale of 4.6 billion years
What is one theory suggested?
During the first billion years there was intensive volcanic activity that released gases that form the early atmosphere and water vapour that condensed to formations
What did volcanoes produce?
Nitrogen which gradually built up in the atmosphere
When the oceans formed what dissolved in the water?
Carbon dioxide
Because of this this reduced the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
How did carbon dioxide decrease?
Algae and plants
Formation of fossil fuels that contain carbon
What do you greenhouse gases do?
Maintain temperatures on the Earth high enough to support life
What are the 3 main greenhouse gases?
Water vapour
Carbon dioxide
Methane
What does human activities increase the amount of?
Green house gases (carbon dioxide and methane)
What is the major cause of climate change?
An increase in average global temperature
What’s the 4 potential effects of global climate change?
Rise in sea levels
Extreme weather
Melting of glaciers
Droughts
What is carbon Footprint?
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life-cycle of a product, service, event, or human
How can the carbon footprint be reduced?
By reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane
What is a major source of atmospheric pollutants?
Combustion of fuels
How are particulates formed in the atmosphere?
Solid particles and unburnt hydrocarbons
