REVIEW CHEM OF ATMOSPHERE Flashcards
Explain the effect of carbon monoxide as an atmospheric pollutant
It’s toxic, but colourless and odourless so difficult to detect
Particulates are an atmospheric pollutant. Explain their source
Incomplete combustion of a fuel
Releases solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons
And forms particulates in the atmosphere
From the formation of the Earths early atmosphere until now , state how the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere has changed overall
It has increased
Explain how coal is formed
Ancient plants dies and were covered in sediments
Subjected to high temperature and pressure over millions of years
Name the gas which scientists believe was the majority component of the Earths early atmosphere
Carbon dioxide
State the effect of particulates as an atmospheric pollutant
Global dimming and health problems
Name two human activities which increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
Deforestation and burning fossil fuels
Aside from carbon dioxide name three gases which scientists believe were present in smaller amounts in the Earths early atmosphere
Nitrogen
Methane
Ammonia
Approximately, how long ago do scientists believe algae started photosynthesising
2.7 billion years ago
Name 4 substances that are long term stores of carbon which originated as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Sedimentary rock, coal,oil, and natural gas
State the effects of nitrogen oxides as an atmospheric pollutant
Acid rain and respiratory problems
Carbon monoxide is an atmospheric pollutant. Explain its source
Incomplete combustion of a fuel
Give 2 reasons why public understanding of climate change is often poor
Complex models require simplification
Media reports can be biased
State the effect of sulphur dioxide as an atmospheric pollutant
Acid rain and respiratory problems
State a negative environmental effect of acid rain
Damages trees, reacts with sedimentary rock, harms aquatic life
Explain how greenhouse gases increase the Earth’s average temperature
Short wave radiation is transmitted from the Sun through the atmosphere
It’s absorbed and re radiated as long wave radiation
It’s absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Explain why the amount of water vapour in the Earth’s early atmosphere decreased over time
Over time, the Earth cooled
The water vapour condensed
And formed oceans
Name the physical process which scientists believe resulted in the formation of the Earths early atmosphere
Volcanic activity
Name 3 greenhouse gases
Water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane
Explain why theories about the Earths early atmosphere can be inconclusive and have developed and changed over time
The time scale of 4.6 billion years means evidence is limited
Sulfur dioxide is an atmospheric pollutant. Explain its source
Sulfur impurities in combusted fossil fuels
Name 2 human activities which increase methane levels in the atmosphere
Cattle and rice farming
Name 4 potential effects of climate change
Ice caps melting
Sea levels rising
Extreme weather events
Habitat loss
State the name given to the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full lifecycle of a product, service or event
Carbon footprint
Nitrogen oxides are atmospheric pollutants. Explain their source
Atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen react in the high temperature conditions of combustion
