C18 Earth's atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Name 3 greenhouse gases

A

Carbon dioxide
Water vapour
Methane

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2
Q

What is the atmosphere?

A

A layer of gas surrounding the Earth

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3
Q

What was the Earth’s atmosphere mostly composed of?

A

CO2

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4
Q

How did the oceans form?

A

Water vapour condensing as the Earth cooled

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5
Q

How did the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere decrease to todays levels?

A

-Dissolved in oceans
-Photosynthesis
-Fossil fuels
-Precipitated as insoluble
metal carbonates

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6
Q

When did life start to appear?

A

2.7 billion years ago

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7
Q

How did the beginning of life impact oxygen in the atmosphere?

A

Oxygen was more present due to photosynthesis

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7
Q

How has nitrogen in the atmosphere changed over time?

A

Increased slowly because it is a very stable molecule

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8
Q

Why can scientists not entirely be sure about early Earth’s atmosphere composition?

A

As evidence is limited and as it was very long ago

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9
Q

What is the current composition of Earth’s atmosphere?

A

80% nitrogen
20% oxygen
Trace amounts of CO2, water vapour and noble gases

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10
Q

What is a greenhouse gas?

A

A gas that traps radiation from the sun

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11
Q

What type of radiation do greenhouse gases absorb?

A

Infrared radiation

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12
Q

2 ways methane levels have increased due to human activity

A

Rice farming
Cattle farming

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13
Q

2 ways CO2levels have increased due to human activity

A

Fossil fuels
Deforestation

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14
Q

What is global warming?

A

Increase in the overall global average temperature

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15
Q

What is global climate change?

A

The change in long-term weather patterns across the planet

16
Q

Effects of climate change

A

Sea levels rising
Extreme weather events
Changes in ecosystems
Polar ice caps melting

17
Q

What is a carbon footprint?

A

Amount of carbon a product or person has released in to the atmosphere over its lifetime

18
Q

How is carbon monoxide formed?

A

Incomplete combustion

19
Q

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

A

Colourless and odourless toxic gas

20
Q

What are particulates?

A

Soot and unburnt hydrocarbons

21
Q

Where do particulates originate from?

A

Diesel engines
Incomplete combustion

22
Q

What effect do particulates have on the environment?

A

Global dimming
Respiratory issues

23
Q

How is sulfur dioxide formed?

A

From sulfur impurities in fossil fuels

24
Q

What dangers are associated with sulfur dioxide?

A

Acid rain
Respiratory issues

25
Q

How are oxides of nitrogen formed?

A

Atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen react in the heat of a combustion engine

26
Q

What problems are associated with oxides of nitrogen?

A

Acid rain
Respiratory issues