[Part 2]- C11- Chemistry of The Earth’s Atmosphere 🌋

Question 1

What is the role of greenhouse gases, in the greenhouse effect ?

Answer 1

• greenhouse gases in the atmosphere maintain temperatures on Earth, that are high enough to support life
• this is because, otherwise the earth would be too cold for most living organisms to survive

Question 2

Name the two greenhouse gases that are increased by human activities

Answer 2

• carbon dioxide
• and, methane

Question 3

What are two human activities that increase carbon dioxide and methane ?

Answer 3

• deforestation
• and agriculture

Question 4

How does deforestation increase levels of carbon dioxide ?

Answer 4

• carbon dioxide is typically absorbed by growing trees; rainforests are now being destroyed because of deforestation.
• this is because, forests are usually burned to provide land for grazing cattle
• this means, large amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere [as trees take store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere]

Question 5

How can human activity increase levels of methane ?

Answer 5

• agriculture- methane is released by growing rice in flooded paddy fields
• ; methane is also released, when cattle [e.g- cows] pass wind

Question 6

What happens as the levels of carbon dioxide and methane increase ?

Answer 6

• the temperature rises, as more of the energy from the sun is trapped

Question 7

What are four potential effects of global climate change ?

Answer 7

• increased melting of polar ice sheets could increase sea levels
• more severe weather
• the changed distribution of animals [e.g- insects]
• the changed distribution of insect-borne diseases [e.g- malaria]

Question 8

How can global climate change increase sea levels ?

Answer 8

• rising temperatures will increase melting of the polar ice sheets and glaciers- which could increase sea levels
• increased sea levels could lead to more flooding of low-lying areas

Question 9

How can global climate change lead to more storms in the UK ?

Answer 9

• climate change could lead to more severe weather [e.g- more storms in the UK]

Question 10

How could global climate change affect insects ?

Answer 10

• increasing temperatures due to global climate change, could change the distribution of animals [e.g- insects]

Question 11

How could global climate change affect malaria ?

Answer 11

• global climate change could lead to increasing temperatures which changes the distribution of insect-borne diseases [e.g- malaria]

Question 12

Why do many scientists believe climate change is caused by humans ?

Answer 12

• based on peer-reviewed evidence, many scientists believe that human activities will cause the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere to increase at the surface, which will then result in global climate change

Question 13

Briefly describe how peer-reviewing helps scientists

Answer 13

• peer-review allows scientists to detect false claims [e.g- based on poor evidence or bias]

Question 14

Why is there a promblem with our understanding of climate change ?

Answer 14

• because it is difficult to model complex systems such as global climate change

Question 15

What are the impacts of having a problem with understanding climate change ?

Answer 15

• as it is difficult to model complex systems such as global climate change this can lead to:
• simplified models
• speculation and opinions presented in the media that may be biased
• and, speculation or opinions in the media only based on parts of evidence

Question 16

• Fill in the gaps: scientists must work harder to communicate the ideas around ______ climate change to the general public

Answer 16

• scientists must work harder to communicate the ideas around global climate change to the general public

Question 17

• Fill in the gaps: scientists must work harder to communicate the ideas around global climate change to the _______ ______

Answer 17

• scientists must work harder to communicate the ideas around global climate change to the general public

Question 18

What is an uncertainty regarding the evidence of climate change ?

Answer 18

• we cannot predict with certainty, how much the temperature of the atmosphere will increase

Question 19

What does ‘carbon footprint’ mean ?

Answer 19

• carbon footprint, is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases [e.g- methane] emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event

Question 20

How can a person’s carbon footprint be reduced ?

Answer 20

• a person’s carbon footprint can be reduced, by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane

Question 21

How can carbon dioxide emissions be reduced in homes ?

Answer 21

• carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by, insulating homes or turning down the heating
• this is because, energy is used to heat homes by usually burning fossil fuels

Question 22

How can transport be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions ?

Answer 22

• use public transport [such as buses and trains] because, a great deal of carbon dioxide is released by driving cars
• ; public transport, instead releases less carbon dioxide per passenger

Question 23

How can energy resources be used, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions ?

Answer 23

• switch to renewable energy resources of electricity [e.g- wind power] because, most carbon dioxide is produced by generating electricity, which burns fossil fuels

Question 24

How can a person reduce their own carbon dioxide emissions ?

Answer 24

• a person can reduce how much electricity they use at home [and switch to energy-saving light bulbs]
• or a person could turn appliances off at plug, instead of leaving them on standby