(Done) Chemistry of the Atmosphere (Paper 2) Flashcards
1
Q
What time period is phase one of earths early atmosphere
A
- The first billion years
2
Q
Features of phase one of earths early atmosphere
A
- Surface of the earth was covered in volcanoes which erupted releasing lots of gases, the suspected way in which the early atmosphere was formed
- Mostly carbon dioxide with virtually no oxygen
- Volcanic activity also released nitrogen, which built up in the atmosphere overtime, as well as water vapour and small amounts of methane and ammonia
3
Q
Features of phase two of earths early atmosphere
A
- When the vapour in the air condensed, it formed the oceans
- Lots of carbon dioxide was removed from the early atmosphere as it dissolved in the oceans
- This dissolved carbon dioxide then went through a series of reactions to form carbonate precipitates that formed sediments on the sea bed
- Green plants and algae evolved and absorbed some of the carbon dioxide so that they could carry out photosynthesis
- Later, marine animals evolved. Their shells and skeletons contained carbonates from the oceans
-Some of the Carbon these organisms took in from the atmosphere became locked up in rocks and fossil fuels after the organisms died
4
Q
Examples of carbon sinks
A
- Crude oil and natural gas
- Coal
- Limestone
5
Q
Features of phase three of earths early atmosphere
A
- Green plants and algae absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and release oxygen via photosynthesis
- As oxygen levels in the atmosphere increased, more complex life began to evolve
- Eventually 200 million years ago, the atmosphere reached a composition similar to the current atmosphere, about 80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen and small amounts of other gases, mainly carbon dioxide, noble gases and water vapour
6
Q
List three examples of greenhouse gases
A
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Water vapour
7
Q
Explain the greenhouse effect
A
- Greenhouse gases do not absorb incoming short wavelength radiation from the sun
- Greenhouse gases instead absorb long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off of the earth
- The gases then re-radiate this long wavelength radiation in all directions including back to the surface of the earth
- Long wavelength radiation is thermal radiation, therefore it warms the surface of the earth
8
Q
List 4 ways human activity increase the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
A
- Deforestation - Less CO2 used up
- Burning fossil fuels - Carbon contained in the fuels is released as CO2
- Agriculture - Farm animals produce methane through their digestive processes
- Creating waste - More landfill sites and more waste from agriculture means more CO2 and methane produced from decomposition of waste
9
Q
List and explain the consequences of climate change
A
- Higher global temperatures - Ice caps melt causing rising sea levels and increased flooding and coastal erosion
- Changing rainfall patterns - some regions might get too little or too much rainfall which may affect the ability of certain regions to produce food
- The frequency and severity of storms might increase
- Changes in temperature and amount of water available in different habitats - affecting wild species, leading to changes in their distribution
10
Q
Define carbon footprint
A
- A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full lifecycle of something, this can be a service, a product or an event - almost anything
11
Q
Why can it be difficult to measure carbon footprints
A
- There are so many different factors to consider
12
Q
How can carbon footprints be reduced
A
- Using renewable or nuclear energy sources
- Using more efficient processes could conserve energy and reduce waste - Lots of waste decomposes into methane
- Governments could tax companies or individuals based on how much greenhouse gases they produce - This could persuade people to use cleaner alternatives
- Governments could put a limit on the amount of greenhouse gases companies can produce
- Increased use of technology that captures CO2 produced by burning fossil fuels before it’s released into the atmosphere and storing it underground in places such as old oil wells
13
Q
Difficulties in reducing carbon footprints
A
- Lots of work still to be done on alternative technologies
- Changes could have an impact of the economic growth of communities
- Hard to make international agreements as most countries don’t want to sacrifice their economic development if they think that others won’t do the same
- Hard to get individuals to make changes to their lifestyles
14
Q
How are particulates released into the air
A
- Via incomplete combustion
15
Q
Problems with particulates in the air
A
- If particulates get inhaled, they can become stuck in the lungs and cause damage which can lead to respiratory problems
- Bad for the environment as the clouds they create reflect sunlight back into space which causes less light to reach earth leading to global dimming
16
Q
Problems with inhaled carbon monoxide
A
- Prevents blood from carrying oxygen as it binds to the haemoglobin instead of the oxygen resulting in less oxygen being carried around the body
- This results in fainting, a coma or even death
- Carbon monoxide does not have any colour or smell so it is hard to detect making it increasingly dangerous
17
Q
How is sulphur dioxide produced
A
- Released from the combustion of fuels, such as coal, that contain sulphur impurities
- The sulphur in the fuel becomes oxidised
18
Q
How are nitrogen oxides produced
A
- A reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in the air caused by the heat of burning
19
Q
How is acid rain formed
A
- When sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with clouds, they form dilute nitric or sulphuric acids which then fall as acid rain
20
Q
Effects of acid rain
A
- Kills plants
- Damages buildings and statues
- Corrodes metals
21
Q
What problems can nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide cause when breathed in
A
- Respiratory issues
