YEAR 10 - Topic X - Chemistry Of The Atmosphere

Question 1

What gases are in the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Nitrogen
Oxygen
Argon
Carbon dioxide
Water

Question 2

Nitrogen in the atmosphere:

Answer 2

N2: element, diatomic molecule. Makes up 78% of the atmosphere. Colourless, odourless, insoluble in H2O, unreactive - has triple bond.
Liquid nitrogen is a good coolant - very cold. Nitrogen is good for food packaging as it is inert.

Question 3

Oxygen in the atmosphere:

Answer 3

O2: element, diatomic molecule. Makes up 21% of the atmosphere. Colourless, odourless, denser than air.
Oxygen used as medicine - helps breathing. Used to weld and cut steel.

Question 4

Argon in the atmosphere:

Answer 4

Ar: element, atom. Makes up 0.9% of the atmosphere. Unreactive, non flammable, non toxic.
Used in lightbulbs.

Question 5

Carbon dioxide in atmosphere:

Answer 5

CO2: compound, molecule. Makes up 0.037% of the atmosphere. Colourless, odourless, slightly soluble in H2O, denser than air.
Used in fizzy drinks - it makes carbonic acid, used to smother fires as it is dense than air (sinks), used by plants in photosynthesis.

Question 6

Water in the atmosphere:

Answer 6

H2O: compound, molecule. % varies daily, colourless, quite reactive.
Used in most bodily functions, essential for life, drinking.

Question 7

How can you calculate the % of oxygen in the air?

Answer 7

Reactions are in your year 10 book 1. You can use iron/ phosphorus/ copper.

Question 8

Combustion of magnesium:

Answer 8

Bright white light.

2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO

Question 9

Hydrogen combustion:

Answer 9

Squeaky pop/ bang explosion

2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O

Question 10

Sulfur combustion:

Answer 10

Blue flame

S + O2 -> SO2

Question 11

Copper carbonate:

Answer 11

Green solid went to black solid

CuCO3 -> CuO + CO2

Question 12

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 12

The greenhouse effect:
Thermal energy from the earths surface escapes into space. If too much escapes the earth will be too cold. However the opposite is happening: greenhouse gases are trapping the escaping heat, making the earth hotter.

Question 13

How does CO2 affect global warming?

Answer 13

CO2 is a greenhouse gas. As CO2 levels increase, global warming will increase.

Question 14

What are humans doing that does not help global warming?

Answer 14

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, cement production, deforestation and landscape changes produces a lot of CO2.

Question 15

What are the consequences of global warming?

Answer 15

As temperatures rise, ice will melt; rising sea levels, causing flooding. It will also change habitats and weather patterns, killing lots of animals, and many species of life will go extinct. More viruses will come along and be stronger because of more thermal energy. Plants will become dehydrated/ flooded and die. It will also cause a massive human and animal migration.