C9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere

phase 1 of the evolution of the atmosphere

Volcanoes gave out gases

early atmosphere mostly carbon dioxide, no oxygen

wouldve released nitrogen, water vapour, methane, ammonia

phase 2 of the evolution of the atmosphere

Oceans, algae and green plants absorbed carbon dioxide

water vapour condensed to form oceans

carbon dioxide dissolved into oceans, went through reactions to form carbon precipitates to form seabed foundation

green plants and algae evolved and absorbed some carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, formed sediments of seabed. shells and skeletons contain carbonates from ocean

what happened to some of the carbon that organisms took in from the atmosphere early on in oceans

locked up in rocks and fossil fuels as

when plants, plankton and marine animals die, fall to seabed, buried by layers of sediment.

over millions of years, compressed and form sedimentary rocks, oil and gas, trapping the carbon and reducing co2 levels

fossil fuels are made this way

how is coal made

made from thick plant deposits

how is limestone made

The calcium carbonate shells of crustaceans breaks down and limestone is formed over many years

phase 3 of the evolution of the atmosphere

green plants and algae produce oxygen

photosynthesis

how do greenhouse gases affect the atmosphere

act as an insulating layer for the Earth

all particles absorb certain frequencies of radiation

greenhouse gases dont absorb the incoming short wavelength radiation from the sun, but absorb the long wavelength radiation reflected back off of the Earth. re radiate back in all directions, including towards Earth

longwave radiation = thermal radiation = warming of surface of Earth = greenhouse effect

3 forms of human activity that affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the environment

deforestation - less trees = less co2 removed

burning fossil fuels - locked up carbon released as co2

agriculture - more farm animals = more methane through digestive processes

creating waste - more landfill sites and more waste from agriculture = more co2 and methane by decomposition of waste

consequences of climate change

melting ice caps,

rising sea levels,

extreme weather

, drought,

increased extinction rates

, tropical diseases

carbon footprint

the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.

5 ways to reduce carbon footprint

1) Renewable energy sources or nuclear energy.

2) Using more efficient processes could conserve energy and cut waste.

3) Governments could tax companies or individuals based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit.

4) Governments can also put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gas that companies make.

5) They could use technology that captures the CO2 produced by burning fossil fuels.

why is incomplete combustion dangerous?

carbon monoxide and carbon particulates aka soot are produced

soot

-inhaled = stuck in lungs = damage = respiratory problems

-bad for environment, reflect sunlight back into space = global dimming

carbon monoxide

-binds to haemoglobin in your blood, less oxygen through body = fainting, coma, death

-colourless, odourless

what gas is released during combustion of fossil fuels

sulfur dioxide

when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with clouds..

form dilute nitric acid that falls as nitric acid

what is acid rain

rain that contains more acid than normal

kills plants

damages buildings

metal corrodes

cause respiratory problems if breathed

all if built up