CHEMISTRY - TOPIC 9 - CHEMISTRY OF THE ATMOSPHERE

for the first billion years on earth what was there lots of?

volcanic activity which produced lots of C02

how were the oceans formed

from water vapour condensing

after 2 billion years what then evolved

plants and algae

what did the plants and algae do

photosynthesised which cause C02 levels to drop and 02 levels to increase

what is the atmosphere mainly made of

oxygen and nitrogen

when plants and algae died what formed

sedimentary rock and fossil fuels

what is the word equation for photosynthesis

carbon dioxide + water → oxygen + glucose

list three of the main greenhouse gases

carbon dioxide

methane

water

what is carbon footprint

refers to the total amount of CO2 and greenhouse gases emitted by somethings activities over their lifetime

give three factors needed when calculating somethings carbon footprint

how materials were sourced

manufacturing process

how it was disposed of

what is carbon capture technology

it allows us to capture carbon dioxide and store it underground so it isn’t exposed to the atmosphere

what is the formula for complete combustion

hydrocarbon + plenty oxygen → water + carbon dioxide

what is produced during incomplete combustion

carbon monoxide and soot

what causes global dimming

soot in the atmosphere which reflects sunlight back into space

why is breathing in carbon monoxide dangerous

the particles bind to our blood ( haemoglobin) with less oxygen meaning not enough oxygen is being transported around the body and to the brain , which could cause death

why is carbon monoxide hard to detect

colourless

odurless

which two gases form acid rain

sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides

how is acid rain formed

when sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides mix with clouds, they dissolve which forms dilute acids leading to acid rain