exam revision

Question 1

what is the carbon in the atmosphere ?

Answer 1

carbon dioxide (CO2)
methane (CH4)

Question 2

what is the carbon in the biosphere ?

Answer 2

carbohydrates (e.g. glucose, fats, protiens, vitamins and DNA of all living things)

Question 3

what is the carbon in the hydrosphere?

Answer 3

carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in oceans/lakes forming carbonic acid (H2 CO3)

Question 4

what is the carbon in the lithosphere ?

Answer 4

decomposed organic matter
fossil feuls (coal oil gas)
limestone (calcium carbonate (Ca CO3))

Question 5

what are the 7 stages of the carbon cycle

Answer 5

1. photosynthesis
2. eating
3. respiration
4. decomposition/excretion
5. fossil feuls
6. combustion
7. ocean (carbonic acid) and deposits of calcium carbonate

Question 6

explain photosynthesis

Answer 6

carbon dioxide in atmosphere is absorbed by plants. this carbon then reacts with water forming glucose (a carbon containing compound)

Question 7

how is carbon transferred through the food chain ?

Answer 7

animals obtain carbon by consuming the carbon content of other plants and animals.

Question 8

what is respiration ?

Answer 8

plants and animals break down glucose using oxygen forming carbon dioxide and water. this carbon is thn breathed out and into the atmosphere (i.e. respiration).

Question 9

what is excretion, egestion, death and decomposition in terms of the carbon cycle ?

Answer 9

the carbon content of animals entering the soil thought waste.
dead animals being broken down by decomposers which respire carbon back into atmosphere.

Question 10

what is formation of fossil feuls in terms of the carbon cycle ?

Answer 10

oil, coal and gas are composed from the carbon in animals and plants which died millions of years ago.
carbon is stored for millions of years before rentering carbon cycle.

Question 11

how does combustion contribute to the carbon cycle ?

Answer 11

the burning of fossil feuls in oxygen lead to release of carbon dioxide (which is released back into the atmosphere) and water.

Question 12

what is the formation of limestone in terms of the carbon cycle ?

Answer 12

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is dissolved in the ocean forming carbonic acid.
carbon dioxide also with calcium iron mineral deposits forming calcium carbonate. this calcium carbonate sinks to the bottom of the ocean and, over millions of years, is compressed forming limestone.

Question 13

what are the atmospheric carbon gains ?

Answer 13

respiration
combustion
excretion, egestion, decomposition and death

Question 14

what are the atmosphere carbon losses ?

Answer 14

photosynthesis
formation of fossil fuels
dissolving in the oceans

Question 15

what are the earth’s spheres ?

Answer 15

hydrosphere
lithosphere
biosphere
atmosphere

Question 16

what is the atmosphere ?

Answer 16

the gases above the earth’s surface mainly made up of oxygen and nitrogen

Question 17

what is the biosphere ?

Answer 17

consists of all living life on earth including humans, animals, fungi - encompassing all spheres.

Question 18

what is the hydrosphere ?

Answer 18

made up of all water on earth in all forms including glaciers, rivers, lakes and oceans.

Question 19

what is the geosphere ?

Answer 19

the geosphere refers to geological material in the earth - the ground including the layers of the earth, lithosphere and asthenosphere.

Question 20

Describe the greenhouse gas effect

Answer 20

Greenhouse gasses trapping ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and Infared radiation from the ground.

Question 21

Name the greenhouse gases

Answer 21

Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Methane (CH4)
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
water vapor (H2O)

Question 22

How are computer scientific model/simulations used ?

Answer 22

To run simulations predicting the future outcomes of geological events
this includes : weather, climate change and to monitor pollution levels.