Chemistry Of The Atmosphere Flashcards
how long have we had today’s atmosphere for
200 million years
what is the composition of today atmosphere
nitrogen 80%
oxygen 20%
carbon dioxide water vapor noble gasses
when did the earth form
4.6 billion years ago
what are the key events that shaped the atmosphere
4 billion years ago
intense volcanic activities releasing mainly co2, water vapor, small amounts of ammonia and methane and nitrogen.
green plants and algae evolve
co2 reduced and oxygen increased
microorganisms that cant tolerate oxygen killed off
carbon from co2 getas locked in sedimentary rocks
gasses react w oxygen to form nitrogen
when did algae start producing oxygen
2.7billion years ago
why has co2 reduced
photosynthesis
locked in sedimentary rocks e.g coal, crude oil, natural gas.
co2 dissolved in the oceans
describe the radiation from the sun
high energy, short wavelength, infrared
what kind of radiation is reflected by the earths surface
lower energy, longer wavelength infrared radiation
how do greenhouse gasses increase earths temperature
absorb reflected radiation
why may people not believe in climate change
very complicated so simplified models are used
companies who produce lots of greenhouse gasses may have biased views
give 7 impacts of global warming
increased drought more heatwaves rising sea levels changes to distribution of plants and animals food shortages storms rainfall
what is a carbon footprint
amount of greenhouses gasses emitted over its lifetime
what are 6 ways carbon footprints can be reduced
carbon capture offsetting carbon renewable energy carbon taxes wasting less energy encouraging carbon neutral products
what are 5 problems with reducing carbon footprints
disagreements between scientist on the causes and consequences of global warming
lack of knowledge with the general population
unwillingness to change lifestyle
economic costs
disagreements between countryes on what should be done
