Inorganic Chemistry - gases in the atmosphere

A set of flashcards covering key concepts from the Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry lecture on inorganic chemistry, focusing on atmospheric gases and their reactions.

What are the four most abundant gases in dry air and their approximate percentages by volume?

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, 0.037% carbon dioxide.

How can the percentage by volume of oxygen in the air be determined experimentally?

By passing air over heated copper and measuring the decrease in volume.

What reaction occurs when copper is heated in the presence of oxygen?

Copper reacts with oxygen to form copper (II) oxide: 2Cu (s) + O2 (g) -> CuO (s).

What does combustion of an element in oxygen represent?

Combustion is an example of oxidation involving a substance gaining oxygen.

Write the chemical equation for the combustion of magnesium in oxygen.

2Mg + O2 -> 2MgO.

How do sulfur and oxygen react?

Sulfur reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide: S + O2 -> SO2.

What is the chemical equation for the combustion of hydrogen in oxygen?

2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O.

What is the thermal decomposition of metal carbonates?

Metal carbonates decompose on heating to form metal oxides and carbon dioxide.

Write the equation for the thermal decomposition of copper (II) carbonate.

CuCO3 -> CuO + CO2.

What role does carbon dioxide play in the greenhouse effect?

CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

What are the main greenhouse gases mentioned in the notes?

Water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4).

Describe the greenhouse effect process.

Sunlight passes through the atmosphere, the Earth absorbs some heat and radiates some as infrared radiation, which greenhouse gases absorb, warming the atmosphere.

What is global warming?

Global warming is an enhanced greenhouse effect leading to an increase in average global temperature.

What is one practical method to determine the volume of oxygen in air?

Using a metal or non-metal to react with oxygen and measuring the change in air volume.

What is the result of heating magnesium in air?

Magnesium burns with a bright flame to produce magnesium oxide.

How does phosphorus react with air when heated?

Phosphorus reacts with oxygen to form phosphorus pentoxide (P4 + 5O2 -> 2P2O5).

How does the composition of air change during the reaction of metals with air?

The volume of air decreases as oxygen is consumed in the reaction with metals.

What happens to the temperature of the atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect?

The temperature of the atmosphere increases due to the absorption of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases.

What does an increase in global temperatures lead to?

An increase in average global temperature can lead to climate change.

How is water vapor related to the greenhouse effect?

Water vapor is a greenhouse gas that also contributes to climate regulation by trapping heat.