Earth's Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the Earth’s early atmosphere

A
  • Contains little oxygen
  • Has a large amount of CO2
  • Contains water vapour
  • Other gasses (eg. nitrogen) are present in smaller amounts
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2
Q

What caused the Earth’s early atmosphere to be how it was?

A

Lots of volcanic activity

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3
Q

How were Earth’s oceans formed?

A

By the condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere which then formed the oceans through precipitation

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4
Q

How was the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere affected by the formation of oceans?

A

It significantly reduced from much of it being dissolved into the oceans

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5
Q

How did the first growth of primitive plants affect Earth’s atmosphere?

A

They used up CO2 and produced oxygen by photosynthesis, slowly increasing the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere

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6
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

The reradiation of heat from the Sun back onto the Earth by greenhouse gasses

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7
Q

Name 3 greenhouse gasses

A
  • CO2
  • Methane
  • Water vapour
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8
Q

How is acid rain formed?

A

When sulphur dioxide dissolves in the air to become sulphuric acid

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9
Q

Name 3 problems caused by acid rain

A
  • Damages plant leaves, reducing their rate of photosynthesis
  • Causes rivers to become slightly acidic
  • Corrodes buildings
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10
Q

What type of acid is acid rain?

A

Sulphuric acid

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11
Q

What evidence is there for climate change?

A

CO2 concentration in the atmosphere and global temperatures have risen alongside fossil fuel consumption

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12
Q

Describe the modern atmosphere of the Earth

A
  • 78% nitrogen
  • 21% oxygen
  • 1% everything else (eg. argon, CO2)
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13
Q

Describe two factors that have caused the increase in greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere

A
  • Burning fossil fuels, leading to more CO2
  • Livestock (mostly cows), leading to more methane
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