Paper 2 - Topic 9, Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
What is acid rain
Rain that is acidic due to dissolved gases (eg sulphur dioxide) produced from the burning of fossil fuels
What is carbon footprint
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product
What is environmental implication
The effect that the activity has on the environment
What are fossil fuels
Natural resources like coal, oil and gas that are non-renewable and are formed from the remains of living organisms from the past
What is global climate change
A long-term shift in global climate patterns
What is global dimming
A gradual reduction in the amount of light reaching the earths surface
What can cause global dimming
Carbon particulates
What is the greeenhouse effect
The increase in temperature of the earths atmosphere due to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trapping infra-red radiation from the surface
What are pollutants
A substance introduced into the environment that has undesired effects
Describe the proportions of gases in the modern atmosphere
- around 80% N 2
- 20% of O 2
- small quantities of CO 2, H 2O and noble gases
Describe the earths early atmosphere and how it was formed
- Earth was hot when it was formed
- There was significant volcanic activity
- Gases have been released from these volcanoes
- Gases includes CO 2, N 2, CH 4, NH 3, H 2O
How did the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere increase
Algae and plants produced atmospheric O 2 by photosynthesis, as the amount of O 2 gradually increased, there were more plants to produce more oxygen
What is the equation for photosynthesis
6CO 2 + 6H 2O —> C 6H 12O 6 + 6O 2
How did the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease
- Some CO 2 was dissolved in the oceans, where it reacted with metal ions to form insoluble carbonates or was taken in by animals to become part of skeleton, when the animal dies it become sedimentary rock
- Some CO2 was used in photosynthesis to make O 2
What does the greenhouse effect do
Allows short wave radiation from the sun to pass through the atmosphere to earths surface, but then absorbs the outgoing long wavelength radiation from the earth causing an increase in temperature
Why is the greenhouse effect necessary for life
Without it, earth would be too cold for life to exist
How have human activities led to an increase in greenhouse gases
- carbon dioxide - burning of fossil fuels and deforestation
- methane - rice and cow farming and decomposition in landfills
What are the potential effects of global climate change
- sea levels rise (can cause flooding and increased coastal erosion)
- more frequent and severe weather storms
- temperature and water stress for humans and wildlife
- changes to food-producing capacity for some regions
What actions can be taken to reduce carbon footprint
- increased use of alternative energy supplies
- carbon capture and storage
- carbon taxes and licences
What are the problems of reducing carbon footprint
- scientific disagreement over causes and consequences of global climate change
- lack of public information and education
- lifestyle changes (people don’t want to give up cars)
- economic considerations (will cost money)
What are the advantages of complete combustion
- less soot (carbon particulates)
- poisonous carbon monoxide is not produced
- more heat per gram of fuel is released
How is pollution caused by combustion
When a fuel burns, the gases released into the atmosphere include carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide etc
Solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons may also be release that form particulates in atmosphere
What are the issues regarding sulphur dioxides and oxides of nitrogen
Can cause respiratory problems in humans and can cause acid rain which damages plants and buildings
