What caused the initial atmosphere to be formed?
Intense volcanic activity
What happened to all the water vapour in the initial atmosphere?
The Earth cooled and the water vapour condensed to form oceans
How much nitrogen is in our atmosphere?
78%
How much oxygen is in our current atmosphere?
21%
How did the amount of oxygen increase?
Algae and plants started to evolve and they photosynthesised, forming oxygen as a waste product
what happened to the carbon dioxide from the initial atmosphere?
When the oceans formed, CO2 was disolved in the water and carbonates were precipitated, producing sedimentary rocks
Name the main greenhouse gases
Water vapour
Methane
Carbon dioxide
Why is water vapour being the most abundant not a concern?
Levels of water vapour are not caused by humans
And are part of the water cycle so you canāt change it
What human activities are increasing the level of methane and carbon dioxide?
Deforestation
Combustion of fossil fuels
farming cattle
Farming rice
Name some effects of global warming
Glaciers melting ā sea levels are reising
Rainfall patterns changing ā flood or droughts
Habitats chaging
Define carbon footprint
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product/service/event
How can our carbon footprint be reduced?
By reducing emissions of CO2 and CH4:
Use public transport
Reducing consumption of meat
what is the word equation for complete combustion?
Hydrocarbon + oxygen ā Carbon dioxide + water
What is the word equation for incomplete combustion?
Hydrocarbon + oxygen ā carbon monoxide + water
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
It is a toxic, colourless, and odourless gas
Why is sulfur dioxide and nitric dioxide a problem?
Forms acid rain and causes rspiratory problems
Why are particulates bad for the atmosphere?
Particulates cause global dimming and health problems