Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards
(38 cards)
a protective blanket which nurtures life on the Earth and protects it from the hostile environment of outer space.
Atmosphere
It is generally believed that three billion or four billion years ago, Earth’s atmosphere consisted mainly of
Ammonia
Methane
Water
another important source of oxygen
photodecomposition of water
Thinnest layer of the atmosphere
Troposphere
the most active region of the atmosphere that contains 80% of the total mass of air and all of the atmosphere’s water vapor
troposphere
attempt to define a boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer Space
Kármán line
A layer above the troposphere which contains nitrogen, oxygen, and ozone.
Stratosphere
In this layer , the concentration of ozone and other gases is low, and the temperature decreases with increasing altitude.
Mesosphere
Uppermost region of Earth’s atmosphere as it gradually fades into the vacuum of space.
Exosphere
it absorbs a lot of the UV radiation and X-ray given off by the sun.
Thermosphere or ionosphere
Main components in the thermosphere
Helium
Atomic Nitrogen
Atomic Oxygen
Layers of the Atmosphere (Bottom - Top)
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
substance present in greater than natural concentration as a result of human activity. This has detrimental effect in the environment.
Pollutant
These are not classified as pollutants unless they have some detrimental effect and cause deviations from the normal composition of an environment.
Contaminants
it is generally the logical place to eliminate pollution.
source
It is anything that is affected by the pollutant.
receptor
most abundant pollutant
Carbon Dioxide
level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
360 parts per million
It is one of the least reactive atmospheric hydrocarbons and is produced by diffuse sources, so that its participation in the formation of pollutant photochemical reaction products is minimal.
Methane
can be a serious health threat because it prevents blood from transporting oxygen to body tissues.
Carbon Monoxide
It is particularly significant in atmospheric chemistry because of its photochemical dissociation by light with a wavelength less than 430 nm to produce highly reactive O atoms.
Nitrogen dioxide
it is released from underground sources as natural gas and produced by the fermentation of organic matter
Methane
Most abundant hydrocarbon in the atmosphere
Methane
serve as bodies for atmospheric water vapor to condense upon and are essential for the formation of rain drops.
Condensation nuclei
