Topic 9 - Chemistry Of The Atmosphere

Question 1

What proportions of gases are in the atmosphere?

Answer 1

80% nitrogen
20% oxygen
Below 1% other gases

Question 2

What is the main theory of earths atmosphere in the first billion years? Explain

Answer 2

The first billion years was intense volcanic activity producing co2 nitrogen and water vapour, atmosphere was mostly co2

Question 3

What happened after the first billion years on earth?

Answer 3

The water vapour cooled to form oceans which dissolved the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere forming carbon precipitates and sediments

Question 4

How did oxygen increase in the atmosphere

Answer 4

Algae and plants started appearing and they began to photosynthesise creating an oxygen rich environment

Question 5

How did carbon decrease in the atmosphere?

Answer 5

Decreased during photosynthesis and by the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels

Question 6

How does the earth get heated and what happens to the energy?

Answer 6

Energy comes from the sun in short wavelength rays
Most is absorbed but what isn’t may be stopped by the gasses in the atmosphere like methane and carbon dioxide
The energy that gets into space is long wavelength

Question 7

Name three greenhouses gases.

Answer 7

Carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Methane

Question 8

Why May levels of carbon dioxide increase?

Answer 8

Burning of fossil fuels release carbon that was trapped
Deforestation means there is less photosynthesis so less co2 is removed

Question 9

Why May levels of methane increase?

Answer 9

Farm animals produced methane during digestion
We produce huge amounts of waste which releases methane as it decomposes

Question 10

Why is it hard to see the consequences of climate change?

Answer 10

There are so many possibilities and scientists cannot make models at this scale

Question 11

What is climate change?

Answer 11

The effects of global warming on the planet

Question 12

What are some effects of climate change?

Answer 12

Hurricanes
Droughts
Floods
Sea level rise - ice melting and less dense

Question 13

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 13

The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event

Question 14

How can you reduce greenhouse gas emissions and what are the limitations to this

Answer 14

Renewable energy sources - expensive
Government Prioritising environment - International agreements are difficult
Efficient manufacturing processes
Less waste
Carbon capture

Question 15

What are the four main air pollutants?

Answer 15

Nitrogen oxides
Carbon molecules
Particulates
Sulphur dioxide

Question 16

Why can particulates cause a problem?

Answer 16

They can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems
They can also create smog which reflect light and causes global dimming

Question 17

Why can carbon monoxide cause a problem?

Answer 17

It can diffuse into blood and bind with haemoglobin which means they can carry less oxygen

Question 18

How are sulphur dioxides made and nitrogen oxides?

Answer 18

They are impurities in hydrocarbons and they become oxidised
Nitrogen reacts with oxygen at high temp like inside engines

Question 19

What problems do sulphur and nitrogen oxides cause?

Answer 19

When breathed in they can damage lungs
They also dissolve into clouds which falls as acid rain, corroding metals and damaging plants and buildings