Topic 9-Chemistry Of The Atmosphere

Question 1

How did volcanoes form the early atmosphere?

Answer 1

The surface was covered in volcanoes that erupted and released lots of gases.
Volcanic activity released nitrogen which built up in the atmosphere over time, as well as water vapour and small amounts of methane and ammonia.

Question 2

What was the earths early atmosphere made up of?

Answer 2

Carbon dioxide and almost no oxygen.

Question 3

How did the early atmosphere change because of oceans, algae and green plants?

Answer 3

When the water vapour condensed it formed oceans.
Carbon dioxide was removed from the early atmosphere as it dissolved into the oceans. It went through reactions to form sediments on the seabed.
Marine animal eveolvef and their shells and skeletons contained some of the carbonates from the oceans.
Green plants and algae absorbed some carbon dioxide so they could carry out photosynthesis.

Question 4

How did carbon get trapped in rocks a fossil fuels?

Answer 4

When the plants, plankton and marine animals die they fall to the seabed and get buried in layers of sediment.
Over millions if years they become compressed and form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas, trapping the carbon within them.
Things like coal, crude oil and natural gas are made by this process.

Question 5

What is crude oul formed from?

Answer 5

Deposits of plankton.

Question 6

What is coal made from?

Answer 6

A sedimentary rock made from thick plant deposits.

Question 7

How did the early atmosphere change from the production of oxygen?

Answer 7

Algae and green plants evolved. This built up oxygen levels in the atmosphere so more complex life could evolve.

Question 8

What percentage of the atmosphere is nitrogen?

Answer 8

80%

Question 9

What percentage of the atmosphere is oxygen?

Answer 9

20%

Question 10

What do greenhouse gases allow the earth to do?

Answer 10

They act like an insulating layrr in the Earths atmosphere.

It allows the earth to be warm enough to support life.

Question 11

What are examples if greenhouse gases?

Answer 11

Carbon dioxide

Methane

Question 12

What sort of radiation does greenhouse gases not absorb?

Answer 12

They dont abosrb the incoming shory wavelength radiation from the Sun.

Question 13

What sort of radiation does greenhouse gases absorb?

Answer 13

Absorb long wavelength radiation that gets reflected back off the earth.
It can be re radiated in all directions including back towards the Earth.

Question 14

What type of radiation is longwave radiation?

Answer 14

Thermal radiation so it results in warming of the surface of the earth.
This is the greenhouse effect.

Question 15

What sorts of human activity affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Answer 15

Deforestation-fewer trees means that less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere.
Burning fossil fuels-carbon thst was locked up is released as carbon dioxide.
Agriculture-more farm animal produce more methane through the digestive process.
Creating waste-more lanfill sites and more waste from agriculture means more carbon dioxide and methane released by the decompisition of waste.

Question 16

What are the consequences of climate change?

Answer 16

Ice caps melting-rise in sea levels, increased flooding in coastal areas and coastal erosion.
Rainfall patterns-some regions might get too much of too little water. This along with changes in temperature may affect the ability for certain regions to produce food.
The frequency and severity of storms may also increase.
Change in temperature and the amount of water available may effect wild species, leading to differences in their distribution.

Question 17

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

How can you reduce carbon footprints?

Answer 18

Renewable energy sourced or nuclear energy could be used instead of fossil fuels.
Using more efficient processes could conserve energy snd cut waste. Waste decomposes ti release methane so it will reduce methane emissions.
Taxing companies or individuals based on the amount of the greenhouse gases they emit.
Means people do things that are more efficient amd less polluting.
Technology that captured fossil fuels before its released into the atmosphere.

Question 19

How can an individual reduce their personal carbon footprint?

Answer 19

Choosing to cycle or walk instead of using the car.
Reduce how much they use air travel.
Doing anything that saves energy at home.

Question 20

What happens to fossil fuels during combustion?

Answer 20

The carbon and hydrogen are oxidised so carbon dioxide and water vapour are released back into the atmosphere.

Question 21

What happens during incomplete combustion?

Answer 21

Some of the fuel doesnt burn so solid particles made up of soot and unburned hydrocarbons are released and carbon monoxide can be produced.

Question 22

What problems can particulates cause?

Answer 22

If they are inhaled, they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage and respitory problems.
They can reflect sunlight back into space. This means that less light reaches the Earth causing global dimming.

Question 23

What problems can carbon monoxide cause?

Answer 23

It can stop the blood from carrying oxygen around the body.
It binds the the haemoglobin so less oxygen can be transported around your body.
This can lead to fainting, coma or even death.
Carbon monoxide has no colour or smell.

Question 24

When is sulphur dioxide released?

Answer 24

The burning of cosl that contains sulphur impurities, the sulphur then becomes oxidised.

Question 25

How is nitrogen oxide formed?

Answer 25

It is created by the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen in the air, caused by the heat of burning.

Question 26

What happnes when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with water in the clouds?

Answer 26

It forms dilute sulphuric acid and dilute nitric acid which then falls as acid rain.

Question 27

What does acid rain do?

Answer 27

Kille plants and damages buildings and statues.

It makes metals corrode.