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Chemistry > Topic 9-Chemistry Of The Atmosphere > Flashcards

Topic 9-Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

How do we think the early atmosphere was formed

A

The earth’s surface was covered in volcanoes that erupted and released lots of gases

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2
Q

What was the early atmosphere made of

A

Mostly carbon dioxide and virtually no oxygen (like mars and venus today)

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3
Q

Volcanic activity released:

A

Volcanic activity also released nitrogen, which built up in the atmosphere over time, as well as water vapour and small amounts of methane and ammonia

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4
Q

How were oceans formed

A

When the water vapour in the atmosphere condensed it formed the oceans

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5
Q

How was carbon dioxide removed from the early atmosphere

A

Lots of carbon dioxide was removed from the early atmosphere as it dissolved in the oceans

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6
Q

What happened to the dissolved carbon dioxide

A

The dissolved carbon dioxide then went through a series of reactions to form carbonate precipitates that formed sediments on the sea bed

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7
Q

What evolved first and absorbed carbon dioxide

A

Green plants and algae evolved and absorbed some of the carbon dioxide for photosynthesis

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8
Q

What evolved after green plants and algae

A

Later marine animals evolved, their shells and skeletons contained carbonates from the oceans

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9
Q

Where did the carbon the organisms took in go

A

Some of the carbon these organisms took in from the atmosphere and oceans became locked up in rocks and fossil fuels after the organisms died

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10
Q

What happens when plants, plankton and marine animals die

A

They fall to the seabed and get buried by layers of sediment. Over millions of years, they become compressed to form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas-trapping the carbon within them and helping keep the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere reduced

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11
Q

What is made from the process of plants, plankton and marine animals dying

A

Things like coal, crude oil and natural gas are made, these are known as fossil fuels

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12
Q

How are crude oil and natural gas formed

A

Crude oil and natural gas are formed from deposits of plankton. These fossil fuels form reservoirs under the seabed when they get trapped in rocks

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13
Q

What is coal

A

Coal is a sedimentary rock made from thick plant deposits

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14
Q

What is limestone

A

Limestone is a sedimentary rock. It’s mostly made of calcium carbonate deposits from the shells and skeletons of marine animals

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15
Q

As well as absorbing carbon dioxide what did green plants and algae produce

A

Green plants and algae also produced oxygen by photosynthesis

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16
Q

What are the approximate values that make up the atmosphere

A

80% nitrogen
20% oxygen
Small amounts of other gases (less than 1%)

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17
Q

Examples of greenhouse gases

A
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Methane
  • Water vapour
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18
Q

What do greenhouse gases do

A

They act as an insulating layer in earth’s atmosphere which allows it to be warm enough to support life

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19
Q

All partickes absorb certain frequencies of radiation. What do greenhouse gases absorb

A

They don’t absorb the incoming short wavelength radiation from the sun but they do absorb the long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off the earth

20
Q

What is the greenhouse effect

A

The longwave radiation is thermal radiation so it results in warming of the surface of the earth

21
Q

Deforestation

A

Fewer trees means less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere via photosynthesis

22
Q

Burning fossil fuels

A

Carbon that was locked up in these fuels is released as carbon dioxide

23
Q

Agriculture

A

More farm animals produce more methane through their digestive processes

24
Q

Creating waste

A

More landfill sites and more waste from agriculture means more carbon dioxide and methane released by decomposition of waste

25
Q

What effect does carbon dioxide have on climate change

A

Recently the earth’s temperature has been increasing, this is due to increasing carbon dioxide from human activity

26
Q

Results of climate change

-Ice caps

A

An increase in global temperatures could lead to polar ice caps melting-causing a rise in sea levels, increased flooding in coastal areas and coastal erosion

27
Q

Results of climate change

-Rainfall patterns

A

Changes in rainfall patterns may cause some regions to get too much or too little water. This, along with changes in temperature, may affect the ability of certain regions to produce food

28
Q

Results of climate change

-Storms

A

The frequency and severity of storms may also increase

29
Q

Results of climate change

-Temperature and water

A

Changes in temperature and amount of water available in a habitat may affect wild species, leading to differences in distribution

30
Q

What are carbon footprints

A

They are a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something.

31
Q

Reducing carbon footprints

-Renewable energy

A

Renewable energy sources or nuclear energy could be used instead of fossil fuels

32
Q

Reducing carbon footprints

-Efficient processes

A

Using more efficient processes could conserve energy and cut waste. Lots of waste decomposes to release methane, so this will reduce methane emissions

33
Q

Reducing carbon footprints

-Tax

A

Governments could tax companies or individuals based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit

34
Q

Reducing carbon footprints

-Caps on emissions

A

Governments can also put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gases that companies make-then sell licences for emissions up to that cap

35
Q

Reducing carbon footprints

-Technology

A

There is technology that captures the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels before its released into the atmosphere-it can then be stored deep underground in cracks in the rock such as oil wells

36
Q

Making reductions is difficult

-Impacts on economic growth

A

A lot of governments worry that these changes will impact the economic growth of communties-which could be bad for well being. This is especiall important for developing countries

37
Q

Combustion of fossil fuels

A

Fossil fuels such as crude oil and coal contain hydrocarbons. During combustion the carbon and hydrogen are oxidised so carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere

38
Q

Complete combustion

A

When there’s enough oxygen so all the fuel burns

39
Q

Incomplete combustion

A

If there’s not enough oxygen some of the fuel doesn’t burn. This releases solid particles of soot and unburnt fuel, also carbon monoxide can be produced as well as carbon dioxide

40
Q

If particulates are inhaled

A

They can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage. This can lead to respiratory problems

41
Q

Particulates are bad for the environment

A

They reflect sunlight back into space. This means less light reaches the earth causing global dimming

42
Q

Effects of carbon monoxide

A

It can stop blood from carrying oxygen around the body. It does this by binding to the haemoglobin that usually carries oxygen so less oxygen is able to be transported around the body. Lack of oxygen in the blood can lead to fainting, coma or death. It doesn’t have a colour or smell so is hard to detect

43
Q

Sulfur dioxide is released during the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal that contain sulfur impurities

A

The sulfur in the fuel becomes oxidised

44
Q

How are nitrogen oxides created

A

They are created from a reaction between the nitrogen and oxygen in the air, caused by the heat of burning. This can happen in the internal combustion engines of cars

45
Q

How is acid rain caused

A

When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with clouds they form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid which then falls as acid rain

46
Q

What does acid rain do

A

Acid rain kills plants and damages buildings and statues. It also makes metal corrode

47
Q

What can sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides do to humans

A

They can cause respiratory problems if they are breathed in

Chemistry (10 decks)

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