The atmosphere today

Question 1

What is the atmosphere?

Answer 1

A mixture of gases surrounding the earth

Question 2

The atmosphere is made up of nitrogen, oxygen and argon, what are the figures for each one?

Answer 2

Nitrogen 78%
oxygen 21%
Argon 1%

Question 3

What is changing the atmosphere?

Answer 3

Human activities are adding small amounts of pollutants in the air.

Question 4

What is a pollutant?

Answer 4

A chemical that’s harmful because it is in the wrong place

Question 5

What are the main pollutants?

Answer 5

Carbon dioxide, carbon, monoxide, particulates,(carbon) sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide

Question 6

what sources do pollutants come from?

Answer 6

vehicles power stations burning fossil fuels also naturally e.g. volcanoes

Question 7

How do some pollutants cause harm directly to humans?

Answer 7

By causing disease and eventually death when you breath large amount of quantities e.g. carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen carried along the blood

Question 8

How do some pollutants cause harm indirectly to humans?

Answer 8

By damaging our environment e.g.
Sulfur dioxide can cause acid rain which pollutes rivers and kills the fish we eat.
Also too of carbon dioxide can cause climate change. e.g. rising sea levels