2.4 Chemistry of the atmosphere
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67 Terms
What are the main gases in Earth’s atmosphere?
About 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen
What other gases are present in small amounts?
Carbon dioxide water vapour and noble gases
Why is evidence about early atmosphere limited?
Because it was billions of years ago
What formed the early atmosphere?
Volcanic activity
What gas was most abundant in the early atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide
Was there much oxygen in the early atmosphere?
No very little or none
What gases did volcanoes release?
Carbon dioxide nitrogen methane ammonia
How were oceans formed?
Water vapour condensed
How did carbon dioxide decrease early on?
Dissolved in oceans and formed carbonates
How did oxygen increase in the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis by algae and plants
When did oxygen first appear?
About 2.7 billion years ago
Why did oxygen levels rise further?
Plants evolved and continued photosynthesis
How does photosynthesis reduce carbon dioxide?
It uses CO2 to make glucose and oxygen
What else reduced carbon dioxide?
Formation of limestone coal and fossil fuels
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere
Name three greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide Methane Water vapour
What is the greenhouse effect?
Trapping of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases
Why is the greenhouse effect important?
Keeps Earth warm enough for life
What is global warming?
Increase in Earth’s average temperature
Name human activities that increase greenhouse gases
Driving Using electricity Livestock farming Landfill waste
Why is climate change difficult to predict?
Climate systems are complex
Name effects of global climate change
Sea level rise Extinction Migration Reduced crop yield
What is a carbon footprint?
Total greenhouse gases produced by an activity
How can carbon footprint be reduced?
Use less energy travel less plant trees use renewables
Why is reducing carbon footprint difficult?
Can be expensive and affect land use
What is a major source of atmospheric pollution?
Burning fuels
What elements are in most fuels?
Carbon hydrogen sometimes sulfur
What gases are released during combustion?
Carbon dioxide water carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides
What are particulates?
Tiny solid particles in the air
What is incomplete combustion?
Burning with limited oxygen
What is produced in incomplete combustion?
Carbon monoxide soot and unburnt fuel
What are the properties of carbon monoxide?
Colourless odourless toxic gas
What do sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause?
Acid rain and respiratory problems
What do particulates cause?
Global dimming and health problems