topic 9 - chemirsty of the atmosphere Flashcards
phase one of the evolution of atmsophere
- lots of volcanic activity which released nitrogen, water vapour, methane and ammonia
- basically no oxygen
phase 2 of the evolution of atmsophere
- water vapour condenses to form oceans
- carbon dioxide dissolved into oceans which reacted and formed sediments and seabeds
- green plants and algae appeared and did photosynthesis - animals
how was crude oil formed
- deposits of plankton
% of gases oin atmosphere today
- 80% nitrogen
- 20% oxygen
- 1>% other gases
greenhouse gasses
- co2
- methane
- water vapour
greenhouse effect
- short wave length radiation from sun goes through the atmosphere and hits earth.
- earth absorbs some but reflects most back out whihc then hits particles in the atmosphere and get remmitted in random directions
- this is what keeps our earth warm
ways that greenhouse gasses have increased
- deforestation - less photosynthesis
- argriculture - more methane
- burning fossil fuels
effects of climate change
- rise in sea levels - flooding
- changes in rainfall patterns
- increased frequency of tropical storms
- less biodiveristy
how to reduce your carbon footprint
- renewable energy or nuclear (instead of fossil)
- more efficient processes in manufacturing.
- government tax companies or set laws
- carbon capture - stores carbon far underground
what happens when there is incomplete combustion
not enough oxygen
- particulates of soot and carbon monoxie
problems of particulate (soot)
- inhaled can get stuck in lungs and cause respiratory problems
- global dimming
problems of carbon monoxide
- binds to haemoglobin in blood and reduces the amount of blood that gets around the body - DEATH
- no co,our or smell so hard to detect
how is sulfur dioxide released
during combustion
how are nitrogen oxides formed
- reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air cause by very high temps (happens inside car engines)
whats the effect of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mixing
- clouds of dilute sulfuric or nitric acid which falls as ACID RAIN
why is there less co2 and more ox in todays atmosphere
co2
* volcanic activity released water vapour
* the water vapour condensed to form oceans
* carbon dioxide dissolved in oceans
* carbonates produce sediments
* carbon locked up in sedimentary rocks
* carbon locked up in fossil fuels
water
* algae and plants evolved / appeared
* algae / plants absorbed carbon dioxide
* by photosynthesis
* which also released oxygen
