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Chemistry GCSE Paper 2 > Topic 9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere > Flashcards

Topic 9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

How was the early atmosphere formed?

A

The surface of the earth was covered in volcanoes that erupted to release lots of gases.

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2
Q

What gases made up the early atmosphere?

A

Mostly carbon dioxide, virtually no oxygen. Volcanic activity also released some nitrogen (which built up over time), water vapour and small amounts of methane an ammonia.

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3
Q

What planets can the early atmosphere of earth be compared to?

A

Mars and Venus.

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4
Q

How were oceans formed?

A

When water vapour in the atmosphere condensed.

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5
Q

How was lots of carbon dioxide removed from the early atmosphere?

A

It dissolved in oceans.

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6
Q

What happened to the dissolved carbon dioxide?

A

It went through a series of reactions to form carbonate precipitates that formed sediments on the seabed.

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7
Q

How were green plants and algae able to evolve?

A

They absorbed some of the carbon dioxide so they could photosynthesise.

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8
Q

How did marine animals evolve?

A

Their shells and skeletons contains carbonates from the oceans.

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9
Q

What happened to some of the carbon the organisms took in from the atmosphere and oceans?

A

It became locked in rocks and fossil fuels after the organisms died.

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10
Q

Describe how organisms reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

A

When plants, plankton and marine animals die, they fall to the seabed and get buried by layers of sediment. Over millions of years, they become compressed and form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas - trapping the carbon within them and helping to keep carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reduced.

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11
Q

How are crude oil and natural gas made?

A

Formed from deposits of plankton. These fossil fuels form resevoirs under the seabed when they get trapped in rocks.

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12
Q

What is coal?

A

A sedimentary rock made from thick plant deposits.

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13
Q

What is limestone?

A

A sedimetary rock, mostly made of calcium carbonate deposits from the shells and skeletons of marine organisms.

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14
Q

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

A

carbon dioxide + water = glucose + oxygen.

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15
Q

When did algae first evolve, when did green plants evolve?

A

2.7 billion years ago. Over the next billion years green plants also evolved.

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16
Q

What did oxygen levels building up result in?

A

More complex life like animals could evolve.

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17
Q

When did the atmosphere reach a composition similar to how it is today?

A

About 200 million years ago.

18
Q

What is the appoximate composition of the atmosphere today?

A

80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen and small amounts of carbon dioxide, noble gases and water vapour.

19
Q

What are examples of greenhouse gases?

A

Carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour.

20
Q

What do greenhouse gases act like?

A

An insulating layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, allowing the Earth to be warm enough to support life.

21
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

Short wavelength radiation hits the earth by the sun, this is then reflected back off the Earth as long wavelength radiation which is absorbed by greenhouse gases. They then re-radiate it in all directions including back towards the earth. The longwave radiation is themal radiation, so it results in warming the surface of the earth.

22
Q

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

A
  • Deforestation - fewer trees means that less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere via photosynthesis.
  • Burning fossil fuels - carbon that was ‘locked up’ in these fuels is released as CO2.
  • Agriculture - more farm animals produce more methane through their digestive processes.
  • Creating waste - more landfill sites and more waste from agriculture means more CO2 and methane released by decomposition of waste.
23
Q

What can extra carbon dioxide from human activity lead to?

A

Climate change - the average temperature of the earths surface has been increasing.

24
Q

How do you know whether the information about climate change from scientists is reliable?

A

It has been peer reviewed.

25
Q

Why is it hard to fully understand the Earth’s climate? What has this led to?

A

It’s so complex, there are so many variables, it is very hard to make a model that isn’t oversimplified. Led to speculation, in media, stories may be biased or only some information given.

26
Q

List the predictions for the consequences of climate change.

A
  1. Polar ice caps melting, causing rising sea levels, increased flooding in coastal areas and coastal erosion.
  2. Change in rainfall patterns, regions could get too much or too little water. This, aswell as changes in temp, could affect the ability of certain regions to produce food.
  3. Frequency and severity of storms may increase.
  4. Changes in temp and water in habitat may affect wildlife species leading to differences in their distribution.
27
Q

What are carbon footprints?

A

A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something. Can be a sevice, event, product…

28
Q

Why is it very hard to measure the total carbon footprint of something?

A

There are so many factors to consider. You can still give a rough calculation to avoid using the worst emitters.

29
Q

What are ways of reducing your carbon footprint?

A
  • Renewable energy sources or nuclear energy instead of fossil fuels.
  • Using more efficient processes, conseves energy and cuts waste - lots of waste decomposes producing methane.
  • Tax companies/ individuals based on how much greenhouse gas they emit.
  • Governments put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gases.
  • Technology that captures CO2 produced before it’s released into the atmosphere. - can then be stored deep underground.
30
Q

Why are governments worried about making changes to lower emissions?

A

They may impact economic growth of communities - bad for people’s wellbeing especially for countries that are still developing.

31
Q

Why is it hard to make international agreements to reduce emissions?

A

Countries don’t want to sacrificr their own economic development if they think that others won’t do the same.

32
Q

How does combustion contribute to greenhouse gases?

A

Fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere during combustion.

33
Q

What is complete combustion?

A

When there is plenty of oxygen so all the fuel burns.

34
Q

What is incomplete combustion?

A

When there’s not enough oxygen so some of the fuel does not burn. Solid particles (particulates) of soot (carbon) and unburnt fuel are released and carbon monoxide can be produced as well as carbon dioxide.

35
Q

What problems can carbon particulates cause?

A
  • If particulates are inhaled, they can get stuck in the lungs and cause damage, leading to respiratory problems.
  • They are bad for the environment - the particulates and clouds they produce reflect sunlight back into space meaning less light reaches the earth causing global dimming.
36
Q

What problems can carbon monoxide cause?

A
  • Can stop you blood doing a proper job of carrying oxygen, it binds to haemoglobin in blood so less oxygen is able to bind and be carried around your body.
  • Lack of oxygen can lead to fainting, coma or death.
  • CO doesn’t have any colour or smell so is very hard to detect making it dangerous.
37
Q

How can sulfur dioxide be released?

A

During the combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities. The sulfur becomes oxidised.

38
Q

How can nitrogen oxide be created?

A

From a reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in the air, caused by the heat of the burning. Can happen in car engines

39
Q

What happens when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with clouds?

A

Forms dilute sulphuric acid or dilute nitric acid which falls as acid rain.

40
Q

What are the problems with acid rain/ sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide?

A

Kills plants and damages buildings and statues- also makes metals corrode. Cause respiratory problems when breathed in.

Chemistry GCSE Paper 2 (4 decks)

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