The Earth's Atmosphere and Resources Flashcards
What was the likely cause of the formation of the Earth’s atmosphere
Volcanic activity
What was the main gas in the atmosphere in the early Earth
Carbon dioxide
What four gases were in the earth’s atmosphere
Nitrogen
Water vapour
Ammonia
Methane
Carbon dioxide
Why did the oxygen levels rise
As plants evolved, they made their own food by photosynthesis, so the levels of carbon dioxide decreases and the oxygen levels increased
What gas is the majority of the atmosphere made of today
Nitrogen
Why did the levels of ammonia and methane decrease
They reacted with the oxygen in the atmosphere
Name three greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Sulfur dioxide
What is carbon footprint
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over a service, product or event’s life cycle
How is sulfur dioxide formed
All fossil fuels contain sulfur impurities, when burned sulfur dioxide is formed
What can sulfur dioxide cause
Acid rain
How is carbon monoxide formed
Through incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous
It will replace the oxygen in the haemoglobin, which means that it starves the body of oxygen
How is nitrogen oxide formed
At high temperatures, nitrogen reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides (Nox)
What are particulates and how are they formed
Particulates, or soot, are small particles formed from incomplete combustion of large hydrocarbons e.g. diesel