Chemistry Of The Atmosphere

Question 1

Describe the modern atmosphere?

Answer 1

80% nitrogen
19% oxygen
less than 1% co2 and argon.

Question 2

Describe the earth’s early atmosphere and how it was found.

Answer 2

The earth was hot when it was formed.
There was significant volcanic activity.
Gases were released from the volcanos.
The gases include CO2, nitrogen, methane and more.

Question 3

How did the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere increase?

Answer 3

Algae and plants produced oxygen via photosynthesis and as the amount of oxygen increased, more plants were produced that produced oxygen.

Question 4

Balanced equation of photosynthesis?

Answer 4

6CO2+ 6H2O –> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Question 5

How did the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease?

Answer 5

Some CO2 was used in photosynthesis to produce oxygen.
Some CO2 dissolved in oceans.
Some was taken in by animals to become a skeleton. When an animal dies this becomes a sedimentary rock.

Question 6

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 6

Greenhouse gases maintain a temperature high enough for the earth to support life.

Question 7

What do greenhouse gases do?

Answer 7

They allow short wavelength radiation from the sun to pass through the atmosphere to the earth’s surface. In this process they absorb the outgoing long wavelength radiation from the Earth causing an increase in temperature.

Question 8

Examples of greenhouse gases?

Answer 8

Methane
CO2
Water Vapour

Question 9

How have human activities led to an increase in greenhouse gases?

Answer 9

Methane - increased farming and decomposition in landfills.
Carbon dioxide - combustion and deforestation.

Question 10

Potential effects of climate change? (4)

Answer 10

Rising sea levels
More frequent and severe storms
Melting ice caps
Changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall.

Question 11

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 11

The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.

Question 12

What can be done to reduce carbon footprint (4)

Answer 12

Carbon taxes
Usage of alternative energy supplies
Carbon capture and storage
Energy conservation

Question 13

Problems of reducing carbon footprint?

Answer 13

Scientific disagreement over the causes and consequences of global climate change.
Lack of public education.
Incomplete international cooperation
Expensive

Question 14

Advantages of complete
combustion (2)?

Answer 14

Less soot (particulates) are made with complete combustion.
Carbon monoxide won’t be produced.

Question 15

How is pollution caused by combustion?

Answer 15

Solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons may form particulates in the atmosphere.

Question 16

Issues regarding sulfur and nitric oxides?

Answer 16

Cause respiratory problems in humans.
Cause acid rain which can damage plants and buildings.

Question 17

What problems do particulates cause?

Answer 17

Global dimming - caused by the particulates reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the earth’s surface.
Health problems and damage to lungs