Earths atmosphere Flashcards
What was the atmosphere like up to 3.4 b years ago
intense volcanic activity
loads of co2 in the atmosphere
some water vapour which cooled to make oceans
some methane and nitrogen
similar to mars or venus
how did oxygen come
algea formed from bacteria which did photosyntheis making oxgygen gas as a waste product loads of plants evolved so more and more oxygen
phtosynethsis equation?
carbon + water = glucose + oxgyen
where the co2 went
from plants injested into animals to their tissues which eventually build up at the bottom of oceans, under the pressure they form sedmentary carbonate rocks such as limestone
it also dissolved into the oceans water
What are the three fossil fuels
Coal
Crude oil
Natural gas
Whats coal
Sedimentary rock that build up from carbon injesting plants under no oxygen pressures
whats crude oil and natural gas
formed from plankton and mud underwater that becomes a compressed thing after being trapped under a layer of sedimentary rock. found between the layers
how were amonia and methane removed
They reacted with oxygen
Why didnt nitrogen go
It isnt reactive
What is todays atmosphere
78 percent nitrogen
21 percent oxygen
bits of argon and co2
even smaller bits of water vapour and noble gases
How do greenhouse gases warm earth
Energy from the sun heats the earth in short wavelengths, some are instantly reflected from the atmosphere but some are emitted through infared radiation, which greenhouse gases can absorb. The more greenhouse gases the more absorbed the higher the temperature
How are greenhouse gases increasing
fossil fuels are burnt loads for cars, electricity and heating making co2
methane escapes from swamps as cattles eat from it.
Problems with co2 levels rising
More trees cut down less photosynthesis so less capturing carbon
Higher temp less co2 solubility in water
Consequnces of climate change/rising greenhouse gases
rising sea levels as ice caps are melting
extreme weather
changes in wildlife who cant adapt
Carbon footprint defenition
Levels of greenhouse gases emited over somethings lifespan
Carbon capture and storage
putting co2 into absorbing rocks deep underground in abandoned oil areas
decreasing methane
produce less beef and dairy products and more crops
Problemsof reducing carbon footprint
carbon capture costs 10 percent more
Poor countries thrive of money from fossil fuels and cant afford without
because of the uncertainty people dont know the full egffects of climate change
what happens when hydrocarbons are burnt with oxygen
Theres complete combustion so co2 and h20
what is there is incomplete combustion when hydrocarbons are burnt
It produces toxic carbon monoxide, toxic and colourless
How does sulphur dioxide occur
comes from impurities in fossil fuels and when oxidised can cause acid rain by going into the atmosphere and condensing with clouds
acid rain problems
damages trees
kills animals
kills plant life near water
attacks limestome and metal buildings
how can sulphur diioxide be solved
it can be removed from fossil fuels before theyre burnt
how is nitrogen oxide formed and cons of it
high temps in cars mean unreactive nitrogen can react with oxygen
very toxic and triggers asthma
causes acid rain
diesel issues
diesel bruns bigger hydrocarbons that dont always burn completely when oxidised. Tiny solid particles of unburnt hydrocarbons and carbon are carried in the air called particulates.
Whats global dimming
Whe the particulates reflect sunlight back into space and cause global dimming
what are the greenhouse gases
co2
water vapour
methane
how is methane formed
its a hydrocarbon that comes in throguh high pressure swamps, but is also formed from the waste of grazing cattle
whats the forming and issue with carbon monoxide
formed when theres imcomplete combustion-a limited supply of oxygen- it is colourless and toxic, binding to your haemoglobin and being carried instead of oxygen, meaning the body is starved of oxygen.
