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igcse chemistry - inorganic chemistry (alkali metals - reactivity series) > Gases In The Atmosphere > Flashcards

Gases In The Atmosphere Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the volumes of the most abundant gases in dry air?

A

Nitrogen: 78%
Oxygen: 21%
Argon: 0.9%
Carbon dioxide: 0.04%

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2
Q

What are the greenhouse gases?

A

Carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane

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3
Q

Combustion of magnesium in oxygen

A

Magnesium reacts with oxygen producing a bright white flame leaving behind a white ash of magnesium oxide (alkaline when dissolved in water).

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4
Q

Combustion of Hydrogen in oxygen

A

Exothermic, burns easily, produces a pale blue flame and by burning hydrogen; water is produced (neutral pH).

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5
Q

Combustion of Sulfur in oxygen

A

Burns with a blue flame to produce sulfur dioxide (which is a colourless, poisonous gas and is acidic when dissolved in water).

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6
Q

What can combustion reactions also be classified as?

A

Oxidation reactions

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7
Q

What is thermal decomposition?

A

Thermal decomposition is the term used to describe reactions where a substance breaks down due to the action of heat.

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8
Q

Give an example of thermal decomposition.

A

One such reaction is the thermal decomposition of metal carbonates.

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9
Q

Which carbonates of metal tend to decompose on heating to produce the metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas?

A

Carbonates of metals from the lower half of the reactivity series tend to decompose on heating to produce the metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas.

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10
Q

What is the general formula for the thermal decomposition of metal carbonates?

A

metal carbonate → metal oxide + carbon dioxide

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11
Q

Why is copper (II) carbonate suitable for thermal decomposition?

A

Copper (II) carbonate is suitable for thermal decomposition as it occurs readily on heating.

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12
Q

What is copper (II) carbonate?

A

Copper(II) carbonate is a green powder.

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13
Q

How does Copper (II) carbonate change as it undergoes thermal decomposition?

A

When Copper (II) carbonate undergoes thermal decomposition, it slowly darkens from a green powder to produce another substance; black copper (II) oxide.

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14
Q

How can the carbon dioxide given off be tested?

A

The carbon dioxide given off can be tested by passing the gas through limewater and looking for it to turn milky/cloudy.

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15
Q

What is the chemical equation for thermal decomposition of copper (II) carbonate? (Include state symbols)

A

CuCO3 (s) → CuO (s)+ CO2 (g)

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16
Q

What is the word equation for the thermal decomposition of copper (II) carbonate?

A

copper(II) carbonate → copper(II) oxide + carbon dioxide

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17
Q

Where are greenhouse gases found?

A

Greenhouse gases are found in the atmosphere in trace amounts: water vapour, carbon dioxide and and methane

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18
Q

What are the greenhouse gases (in learning specification)?

A

Water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane

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19
Q

Explain how the greenhouse gas effect begins

A
  • Energy from the sun travels to the Earth as short wavelength radiations for example: ultraviolet and visible light. Some of the short wavelength radiation reflect back into space but most of it passes easily through the atmosphere as short wavelength radiation does not react strongly with the gas molecules in the atmosphere. The energy of the radiation is now absorbed when it reaches the surface of the Earth. The surface of the Earth now radiates the energy as long wavelength radiation (infrared), some of the long wavelength radiation interacts with the greenhouse gas molecules in the atmosphere. Causing the temperature of the atmosphere to increase.
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20
Q

What do the greenhouse gases ensure?

A

They ensure that the temperature on Earth is warm enough (mean global temperature = around 15oC) to support life.

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21
Q

What is the mean global temperature?

A

Around 15oC

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22
Q

What would happen without the greenhouse effect?

A

The Earth would swing between extreme heat and extreme cold.

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23
Q

What do greenhouse gases absorb?

A

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiations.

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24
Q

How does carbon dioxide in our atmosphere increase?

A

By burning fossils fuels

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25
Q

Why do we burn fossil fuels?

A

We burn fossil fuels for energy.

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26
Q

Give some examples of why we burn fossil fuels.

A

Coal for electricity, petrol and diesel to power cars and gas to heat our homes.

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27
Q

How could deforestation lead to more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere?

A

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and by cutting trees, less carbon dioxide will be absorbed. As well as when forests are cleared or burnt, stored carbon dioxide inside the trees is released into the atmosphere.

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28
Q

Where is methane released?

A

Methane is released in agriculture (farm animals produce methane during digestion) as well as when we produce huge amounts of waste (releases methane as it is decomposed by micro-organisms)

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29
Q

Summarize why greenhouse gases cause the Earth to warm up

A

Greenhouse gases trap some of the Sun’s radiation causing the Earth to warm up

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30
Q

What do rising temperatures lead to?

A

An increase of melting polar ice sheets and glaciers which will then lead to increased sea levels (extra water in the seas). As well as when water in the ocean warm up, it expands (volume increases). It will also lead to changes in the distribution of animals.

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31
Q

What is climate change?

A

All the effects of global warming on the climate

32
Q

What does climate change lead to?

A

More sever weather (more droughts, hurricanes, floods and storms) which will occur more often.

33
Q

What is the atmosphere?

A

A protective layer of gases spread all the way around the Earth.

34
Q

Name two gases that are not greenhouse gases

A

Oxygen and Ethane

35
Q

What are the naturally occurring greenhouse gases?

A

The naturally occurring greenhouse gases are: water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).

36
Q

Which greenhouse gases are not naturally occurring?

A

The greenhouse gases that are not naturally occurring are: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

37
Q

What are ALL the greenhouse gases?

A

Water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

38
Q

Which gas contributes the most to the greenhouse gas effect?

A

Carbon dioxide

39
Q

How does methane contribute as a greenhouse gas?

A

By cattle farming (farm animals produce methane during digestion).

40
Q

How much percent does Carbon dioxide contribute to total global warming?

A

60%

41
Q

How much percent does Methane contribute to total global warming?

A

20%

42
Q

How much percent Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contribute to total global warming?

A

14%

43
Q

How much percent does Nitrous Oxide contribute to total global warming?

A

6%

44
Q

What is formula for Methane?

A

CH4

45
Q

What does Methane consist of?

A

Methane consists of hydrogen and carbon elements.

46
Q

At what point do greenhouse gases cause global warming?

A

When their concentration is enhanced (enhanced greenhouse gases).

47
Q

Lower energy level and longer wavelengths…

A

Infrared radiation

48
Q

High energy level and shorter wavelengths…

A

Ultraviolet radiation

49
Q

Wavelength of infrared radiation is…

A

Longer

50
Q

Wavelength of ultraviolet radiation is

A

Shorter

51
Q

What is the formula for Nitrous Oxide?

A

N2O

52
Q

What temperature does the normal greenhouse gas maintain on Earth?

A

15°C

53
Q

What would the Earth’s surface temperature be without greenhouse effect?

A

-18°C

54
Q

How much do greenhouse gases increase the temperature?

A

By 33 °C

55
Q

What does sulfur dioxide cause?

A

Acid rain

56
Q

What causes acid rain?

A

Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain.

57
Q

How does burning coal have an impact on the environment?

A

Burning coal produces carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Carbon dioxide causes global warming (sea level rise, melting of polar ice caps) and Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain.

58
Q

What is used to neutralize industrial waste?

A

Slaked lime

59
Q

What is used to reduce soil acidity?

A

Lime is used to reduce soil acidity.

60
Q

How is lime used to reduce soil acidity?

A

Lime reduces soil acidity by neutralizing acid reactions in the soil.

61
Q

What is formed when methane burns in a large amount of oxygen?

A

When methane burns in a large amount of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour are formed.

62
Q

What is formed when methane burns in a small amount of oxygen?

A

When methane burns in a small amount of oxygen, carbon monoxide and water are formed.

63
Q

Name some examples of increasing sources of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere:

A

Combustion of wood and fossil fuels, respiration of plants and animals, thermal decomposition of carbonate rocks and the effect of acids on carbonates

64
Q

What is the difference between greenhouse gases and enhanced greenhouse gases?

A

The difference between greenhouse gases and enhanced greenhouse gases is that the greenhouse effect ensures the mean global temperature is around 15oC (without greenhouse gases the surface of the Earth would swing between extreme heat and extreme cold) The enhanced greenhouse effect, due an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, is leading to global warming.

65
Q

What is the word equation for Magnesium’s combustion in oxygen?

A

magnesium + oxygen -> magnesium oxide

66
Q

What is balanced chemical equation for Magnesium’s combustion in oxygen? (Include state symbols)

A

2Mg (s) + 02 (g) -> 2MgO (s)

67
Q

What is the word equation for Hydrogen’s combustion in oxygen?

A

Hydrogen + Oxygen -> Water

68
Q

What is the balanced chemical equation for Hydrogen’s combustion in oxygen? (Include state symbols)

A

2H2(g) + 02(g) - > 2H20 (l)

69
Q

What is the word equation for Sulfur’s combustion in oxygen?

A

Sulfur + Oxygen -> Sulfur dioxide

70
Q

What is the balanced chemical equation for Sulfur’s combustion in oxygen? (Include state symbols)

A

S(s) + 02(g) - > SO2(g)

71
Q

What happens when Sulfur dioxide dissolves in water?

A

When sulfur dioxide (SO2) dissolves in water it forms an acidic solution of sulfurous acid.

72
Q

Write the word equation for the reaction between sulfur dioxide and water.

A

Sulfur dioxide + Water -> Sulfurous Acid

73
Q

Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sulfur dioxide and water. (Include state symbols)

A

SO2 (g) + H2O (l) -> H2SO3 (aq)

74
Q

What is the formula for sulfur dioxide?

A

SO2

75
Q

What is the formula for sulfurous acid?

A

H2SO3

igcse chemistry - inorganic chemistry (alkali metals - reactivity series) (4 decks)

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