The evolution of the atmosphere Flashcards
Greenhouse gases, carbon footprint and atmospheric pollutants
What percentage of nitrogen is in our atmosphere?
~80%
What percentage of oxygen is in our atmosphere?
~20%
What percentage of argon is in our atmosphere?
0.93 %
What percent of carbon dioxide is in our atmosphere?
0.04%
What occurred in the first billion of years in the atmosphere
There was intense volcanic activity that released gases that formed the early atmosphere, consisting mainly of carbon dioxide with little or no oxygen gas.
How were the oceans formed in the atmosphere
The water in the air condensed to form the oceans
How was nitrogen produced and other gases like methane and ammonia produced in the early atmosphere?
Volcanoes released these gases, which gradually built up over time
How were levels of carbon dioxide reduced in the atmosphere?
When the oceans were formed, carbon dioxide dissolved in the water and carbonates were precipitated, producing sediments.
Photosynthesising plants also reduced carbon as well as the formation of certain rocks which trap carbon underground.
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + water + light = glucose + oxygen
How were animals and plants developed in the atmosphere?
Algae was first produced ~2.7 billion years ago~ and the increase of oxygen lead to the evolution of plants and animals which are perhaps now living in current years.
State the 4 ways carbon dioxide was reduced in the atmosphere?
- formation of sedimentary rock
-photosynthesis
-formation of fossil fuels
-dissolving in oceans
What are the greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Water vapour
How is the atmosphere warmed up?
Visible light is absorbed by Earth then infrared is given off. Carbon dioxide is trapped in atmosphere which warms it up.
Does visible light have a short or long wavelength
Short
Does infrared have a long or short wavelength
Long
What is the symbol equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
State human examples of increasing carbon dioxide
Burning of forest fuels and deforestation
State human activities which increases methane gas
Farming livestock (pigs and cows) and landfills
What are fossil fuels and sedimentary rocks?
The ramens of biological matter, formed over millions of years ago
How is coal, oil, natural gas and sedimentary rocks formed?
Remains of biological matter falls to the bottom of oceans. Over millions of years layers of sediment settled on top of them and the huge pressures formed these.
What are other ways to present data about large complex systems than simplified models.
Speculation, and opinion based media that may only be derived from parts of the evidence, which could be biased. It is difficult to model larger models as well.
What is climate change?
An increase in average global temperature
State 5 Effects of climate change
Rising sea levels, leading to flooding
Droughts/ severe storms
Desertification
Melting of ice caps
Extinction of some animals
What is a carbon footprint
Total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service, or event.
How are carbon footprints reduced?
It is reduced by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.
What’s the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of the suns warmth in a planet’s lower atmosphere, due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planets surface.
What is a major source of atmospheric pollutants
The combustion of fuels- most fuels may also contain some sulphur.
What gases are produced when burning fuels
Carbon dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen.
What are particulates?
Solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons released when burning fuels.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide?
It is toxic, colourless, odourless and is not easily detected. It can kill
What are the effects of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen?
Causes respiratory problems in humans and acid rain which affects the environment.
What effects does particulates have?
Cause global dimming and health problems in humans.
What does complete combustion produce?
Carbon dioxide and water
What does incomplete combustion produce?
Carbon monoxide carbon and some soot particles
What are pollutants made of
Sulphur dioxide and oxides or nitrogen
