Chemistry of the atmosphere

What produced lots of carbon dioxide methane nitrogen and water vapour

Intense volcanic activity

How did the oceans form

The earth cooled and the water vapour condensed to form clouds which rained to form oceans

How did sedimentary rock and fossil fuels form

The rainfall dissolved CO2 in oceans which formed calcium carbonate shells which formed sedimentary rock and the fossil fuels

What happened after the intense rainfall

The earth began to warm

What did the earth warming lead to

Organisms to thrive so algae and other plants could photosynthesise which led to an increase in oxygen and a decrease in carbon dioxide

What is earths atmosphere like today

• 78% nitrogen

• 21% oxygen

• 1% other gases

What is the greenhouse effect

• Short wavelength radiation pases through the atmosphere

• Some is absorbed but some is reflected as long wave radiation

• Greenhouse gases absorb some of this radiation

• They reradiate this in all directions including earth

• This keeps earth at a stable temperature

What are the greenhouse gases

• carbon dioxide

• Methane

• Water vapour

How has humans contributed to the greenhouse effect

Human activity releases greenhouse gases

How does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change

It releases the stored carbon in the fossil fuels as carbon dioxide

How doe deforestation contribute to greenhouse effect

It reduces the amount of tres meaning there’s less photosynthesis which means less carbon dioxide taken in

How has agriculture contributed to greenhouse effect

Cattle ranching and rice farming release methane

How has waste contributed to greenhouse effect

Huge amounts of waste emit methane

What are the consequences of global warming

• changing precipitation patterns

• More extreme weather

• Ice caps melt

• Desertification

What do the consequences lead to environmentally

A reduction in biodiversity

What is a carbon footprint

Total amount of greenhouse gases something has emitted in their life cycle

What are the positives of carbon footprints

It helps us determine how environmentally damaging something is

What is the negative of carbon footprints

Hard to measure

How does renewable energy reduce global warming

It releases no greenhouse gases and are more sustainable as they are infinite

What are the negatives of renewable energy

It’s more expensive than fossil fuels

How does more efficient manufacturing reduce global warming

Less energy is used and less waste is produced which means decomposers produce less methane

How can the government reduce global warming

• introduce sustainable laws

• Tax companies based on greenhouse gas emissions

How does carbon capture reduce global warming

It captures carbon and stores it underground

How is carbon dioxide formed

During complete combustion

What the problems with carbon dioxide

It’s a greenhouse gas so it contributes to the greenhouse effect which contributes to global warming

What are particulates formed by

Incomplete combustion

What are the problems with particulates

• causes respiratory issues

• Global dimming: smog reflects sunlight back into space so less light reaches earth

What is carbon monoxide produced by

Incomplete combustion

Why is carbon monoxide a problem

• binds to haemoglobin so less oxygen is transported which leads to less respiration which can lead to deaths

• It’s colourless and odourless so its hard to detect

What is sulfur dioxide formed by

When hydrocarbons that are burned have impurities which react with oxygen to give sulfur dioxide

What are the issues with sulfur dioxide

• it causes respiratory issues

• It dissolves in clouds and causes acid rain

How is nitrous oxide formed

When nitrogen reacts with oxygen but it mostly happens in engines as it requires a high temperature

What are the issues with nitrous oxide

• it causes respiratory issues

• It dissolves in clouds which causes acid rain

What is the problem with acid rain

• corrodes metals and statues

• It reduces biodiversity

• It makes soil more acidic