Interpreting and Reacting with Earth Systems (OCR)

Early Earth's atmosphere

Early Earth's atmosphere

"Developed from gases emitted by volcanic activity, initially composed of little to no oxygen, high carbon dioxide, ammonia, methane, and water vapor."

Great Oxygenation Event

"Period when oxygen levels in Earth's atmosphere dramatically increased due to photosynthetic organisms, leading to a mass extinction event for anaerobic life forms."

Complete combustion

"Occurs when fuel burns in abundant oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water."

Incomplete combustion

"Occurs when fuel burns in limited oxygen, producing carbon monoxide, water, and carbon particulates."

Greenhouse effect

"Process were greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, maintaining a warmer temperature suitable for life."

Greenhouse gases

"Include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor, which absorb and emit infrared radiation, warming the Earth's surface."

Anthropogenic causes of climate change

"Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, releasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming."

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

"A greenhouse gas released by human activities like burning fossil fuels, contributing to climate change."

Methane (CH4)

"A potent greenhouse gas released from natural gas production, livestock digestion, and landfills."

Complete combustion products

"Result in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) when fuels burn in abundant oxygen."

Incomplete combustion products

"Result in carbon monoxide (CO), water (H2O), and carbon particulates when fuels burn in limited oxygen."

Effects of climate change

"Include rising sea levels, shifts in weather patterns, more frequent extreme weather events, and impacts on agriculture and biodiversity."

Potable water

"Water safe for drinking, typically achieved through processes like sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination."

Desalination

"Process of removing salt and minerals from seawater to produce fresh water, often using distillation or reverse osmosis."

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

"A gas released from burning fossil fuels containing sulfur impurities, contributing to acid rain and air pollution."

Nitrogen oxide (NOx)

"Gases produced from burning fuels at high temperatures, contributing to smog, acid rain, and respiratory issues."

Luminous splint test

"Method to detect oxygen presence in a gas container by observing if a flame rekindles."

Photochemical smog

"Formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of sunlight, contributing to air pollution."

Global dimming

"Reduction in sunlight reaching Earth's surface due to particulate matter in the atmosphere, potentially caused by pollution."

Distillation

"Method of desalination where water is boiled and condensed to remove salts and impurities."

The Great Oxygenation Event

"Period in Earth's history where oxygen levels in the atmosphere rose dramatically due to the emergence of photosynthetic organisms."

Renewable energy sources

"Include solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Acid rain

"Caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolving in rainwater, damaging ecosystems and infrastructure."

Ice core analysis

"Method to measure ancient atmospheric gas levels by studying ice cores, providing evidence of historical climate changes."

Incomplete combustion consequences

"Can lead to the formation of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas harmful to human health."

Fossil fuels

"Include coal, oil, and natural gas, burned for energy production and releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere."

Global warming

"Increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions from human activities."

Renewable energy

"Energy sources that are naturally replenished, such as sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat, considered environmentally friendly."

Catalytic converter

"Device in vehicles that reduces harmful emissions like nitrogen oxides (NOx) by converting them into less harmful gases."

Ocean acidification

"Result of increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere