Topic 9-Evolution of the atmosphere

Question 1

What is phase 1 of the evolution of the atmosphere?

Answer 1

• Volcanoes released lots of gas like: Nitrogen, water vapour, methane and ammonia
• Early atmosphere mainly Co2 (like Mars and Venus)

Question 2

What is phase 2 of the evolution of the atmosphere?

Answer 2

• water vapour condensed forming oceans
• Co2 dissolved in ocean forming carbon precipitate that formed sediments on the sea bed
• Green plants and algae evolved to carry out photosynthesis
• marine animals evolved (skeleton contained carbonates from ocean)
• carbon locked up in rocks and fossil fuel when organisms died

Question 3

What forms sedimentary rocks, oil and gas?

Answer 3

Plants, plankton and marine animals die, get burried by layer of sediment and get compressed

Question 4

What do plankton deposits form?

Answer 4

Crude oil and natrual gas

Question 5

what do thick plant deposits form?

Answer 5

Coal

Question 6

What do calcium carbonate deposits from shells and skelletons form?

Answer 6

Limestone

Question 7

What is phase 3 of the evolution of the atmosphere

Answer 7

• Green plants and Algae produced oxygen from photosynthesis

* Oxygen built up overtime to support complex life forms to evolve

Question 8

What is the composite of the gases in the air today?

Answer 8

80%-Nitrogen
20%-Oxygen
small amounts of other gases (Co2, noble gases and water vapour)

Question 9

what type of wavelength do green house gases absorb?

What do they do with it?

Answer 9

Long wavelength

They re radiate it as thermal radiation

Question 10

What human activity affects amount of greenhosue gases in atmosphere?

Answer 10

Deforestation, Agriculture, Burning fossil fuels, creating waste

Question 11

How do we know info about climate change is reliable?

Answer 11

Peer review

Question 12

Why’s it hard to understand earth’s climate?

Answer 12

• so complex
• so many variables
• hard to make model thats not over simplified

Question 13

What are problems with stories in the media?

Answer 13

Biased, only some info given

Question 14

What are the 3 main consequences of Climate change?

Answer 14

1. Ice caps melt –> rise in sea level
2. Change in rainfall and temp –> effect crops and habitat distribution
3. STORMS

Question 15

Define carbon footprints

Answer 15

Measure of amount of Co2 and other green house gases released over full life cycle of something.

Question 16

What are the 4 main ways of reducing carbon footprints?

Answer 16

1. Renewable energy sources
2. Governement tax ( could persuade people to get fuel effcient cars
3. Government cap
4. Tech that capture Co2

Question 17

Why is it hard to reduce carbon footprint?

Answer 17

1. lots of work to develop tech
2. could effect economic growth
3. hard ot make international agreements
4. Individuals need to change lifestyle (lack of education)

Question 18

What problems do particualtes in the air cause?

Answer 18

• Lung damage

* Global dimming (they add to clouds which reflect sunlight back into space)

Question 19

What problems does carbon monoxide cause?

Answer 19

• Binds to haemoglobin so less oxygen can be carried, this leads to fainting and death.
• hard to detect because its colourless and not smelly

Question 20

Where does sulphur dioxide come from?

Answer 20

Released during combustion of fossil fuel (coal), sulfur becomes oxidised

Question 21

Where does Nitrogen oxides come from?

Answer 21

Reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in air caused by heat (happens in internal combusion engines)

Question 22

Whats the problem with acid rain?

Answer 22

Kill plants, damges buildings, corrode metal, respiratory problems