Chemistry of the atmosphere

Question 1

What are the greenhouse gases?

Answer 1

Carbon dioxide
Methane
Water vapour

Question 2

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 2

1. All particles absorb a certain amount of radiation
2. Greenhouse gases don’t absorb short wavelength radiation (comes from the sun)
3. They absorb long wavelength radiation (thermal radiation) and readmit it everywhere including back into the earth

Question 3

What are the causes of greenhouse gases

Answer 3

• Deforestation
• Farming cattle
• Creating waste

Question 4

What are some of the consequences of climate change?

Answer 4

• Floods, the iceburgs melt due to rise in temp and water expands when heated
• Temp increase
• More storms

Question 5

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 5

The amount of greenhouse gases released over a full lufe cycle of something
Almost impossible to measure

Question 6

How can we reduce the carbon footprint?

Answer 6

1. Renewable or nuclear energy sources
2. More efficient products
3. Governments can tax companies on the amount of CO2 they release
4. Technology to capture CO2

Question 7

Why is it difficult to reduce carbon emmissions?

Answer 7

1. A lot of work to be done on alternative technoglogy
2. Governments worry about economic wealth
3. Hard to make international agreements
4. Individuals must change their lifestyle

Question 8

How is air pollution created?

Answer 8

During incomplete combustion
When you burn crude oil solid particles of soot and unburnt fuel are released
Carbon monoxide may also be released

Question 9

Problems with soot?

Answer 9

1. Toxic when inhaled, get stuck in your lungs and make damage
2. Clouds they produce relect light back into space (causing global dimming)

Question 10

Problems with carbon monoxide?

Answer 10

• Stops blood from carrying oxygen as it binds haemoglobin so less O2 goes around the body
• Causes fainting, comas and death
• It is oderless and colourless so very hard to detect

Question 11

Hpw can sulfur be released?

Answer 11

Sulfur dioxide is released when combustion of fossil fuels have sulfur impurities

Question 12

How can nitrogen oxide be released?

Answer 12

Nitrogen oxide is formed when nitrogen and oxygen react from the heat of the air

Question 13

What are the problems of having nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide in the air?

Answer 13

When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide react they make dilute sulfuric acid or nitric acid ACID RAIN

Question 14

What is the problem with acid rain?

Answer 14

Acid rain destroys statues and is bad for human respiration