Gases Flashcards
What are the main atmosphere gases?
nitrogen and oxygen.
What are the main greenhouse gases?
Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Water Vapour.
List Earth’s Chemical Spheres
Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere.
List stages of the water cycle.
Evaporation, Condensation, and Precipitation
Define the Natural Greenhouse Effect
the greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the sun’s energy reaches the Earths atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and some is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.
Define the enhanced greenhouse effect
The enhanced greenhouse effect is where extra greenhouse gases in our atmosphere trap too much of the Sun’s energy. This causes a warming effect, which some people call global warming.
Define Biodiversity.
the variety of animals and plant life in the world or in a particular habitat.
How does energy flow between each of Earth’s chemical spheres?
Energy from sun > heats atmosphere > heats Hydrosphere > heats Geosphere surface > fuels processes in biosphere
Relationship between radiation and the greenhouse effect.
it absorbs infrared radiation from the sun if the form of heat, which is circulated in the atmosphere and eventually lost to space.
Describe the carbon cycle, and how human activity impacts it
a process that moves carbon between plants, animals, and microbes; minerals in the earth; and the atmosphere. Humans effect it by burning fossil fuels.
Describe the El Nino Southern Oscillation
a recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical pacific ocean.
Explain how biodiversity is impacted by human activity, using an example.
Biodiversity is impacted by humans through clearing forests and grasslands, mining, urban development and sewage discharge.
How does increasing atmospheric CO2 increase global temperature?
Earths natural greenhouse effect requires carbon dioxide although if too much is added it causes it to supercharge increasing global temperatures.
How does increasing atmospheric CO2 increase sea surface temperature?
as greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun, the oceans are absorbing more heat, resulting in a increase in temperature.
How does increasing atmospheric CO2 cause sea levels to rise?
as greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun, the oceans are absorbing more heat, resulting in a increase the sea levels.
How does increasing atmospheric CO2 cause ocean acidification?
Due to human driven increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there is more co2 dissolving into the ocean. this decreases the pH causing the the oceans to become more acidic.
How are people reducing the issue of sea levels rising?
raising houses and roads, installing tidal gates to restrict ingress of tidal water into stormwater systems, building levees and sea walls, and undertaking beach nourishment
How are people reducing the issue of Ocean Acidification?
drastically reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are produced globally
How are people reducing the issue of Carbon emissions?
making power on-site with renewables and other climate-friendly energy resources.
