Earth's Atmosphere

Question 1

Describe the Earth’s early atmosphere

Answer 1

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

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Lots of volcanic activity

Question 3

How were Earth’s oceans formed?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Answer 4

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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Name 3 greenhouse gasses

Answer 7

• CO₂
• Methane
• Water vapour

Question 8

How is acid rain formed?

Answer 8

When sulphur dioxide dissolves in the air to become sulphuric acid

Question 9

Name 3 problems caused by acid rain

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What type of acid is acid rain?

Answer 10

Sulphuric acid

Question 11

What evidence is there for climate change?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Describe the modern atmosphere of the Earth

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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