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Chemistry > Chemistry of the Atmosphere > Flashcards

Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards

1
Q

what chemicals is the earths atmosphere made of

A

nitrogen
oxygen
co2
water vapour
noble gases

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2
Q

how much of the atmosphere is made of nitrogen

A

80%

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3
Q

how much of the atmosphere is made of oxygen

A

20%

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4
Q

how much of the atmosphere is made of oxygen

A

20%

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5
Q

how long have the proportions of gases been like how they are now

A

for 200 million years

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6
Q

why is evidence of the earths early atmosphere limited

A

the timescale of 4.6 billion years

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7
Q

the earths early atmosphere theory

A

intense volcanic activity released gases that formed the early atmosphere
the atmosphere was like mars or venus today with mainly co2 and little or no o2
volcanes produced n2 which gradually built up in the atmosphere and there may have been small proportions of methane and ammonia
water vapour condensed to form the oceans
co2 dissolved in the water and carbonates were precipitated producing sediments, reducing the amount of co2 in the atmosphere

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8
Q

where is the oxygen currently in the atmosphere from

A

algae and plants produced o2 by photosynthesis

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9
Q

when did algae first produce oxygen

A

2.7 billion years ago

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10
Q

why did oxygen levels increase after algae produced oxygen

A

plants evolved

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11
Q

what was the result of an oxygen increase

A

enabled animals to evolve

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12
Q

how did carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decrease

A

algae and plants decreased the co2 in the atmosphere by photosynthesis

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13
Q

what other than photosynthesis decrease carbon dioxide

A

the formation of sedimentary rocks that contain carbon eg limestone and coal
the production of fossil fuels from the remains of dead plants and animals when they decayed

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14
Q

when was methane removed from the early atmosphere

A

once oxygen was made

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15
Q

when was ammonia removed from the early atmosphere

A

once oxygen was made

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16
Q

where do scientists think life first evolved from

A

near underwater volcanoes

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17
Q

what layer did oxygen form in the upper atmosphere

A

ozone layer

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18
Q

why was the ozone layer important for life on land

A

shield the earth from harmful uv light so organisms could leave the water

19
Q

how was co2 removed in the ocean

A

some dissolved in ocean and was taken up by small sea creatures to form their shells

20
Q

what do greenhouse gases do

A

maintain temperatures on earth high enough to support life

21
Q

examples of greenhouse gases

A

water vapour
carbon dioxide
methane

22
Q

describe the greenhouse effect

A

radiation at short wavelengths from the sun passes through the atmosphere
the earth absorbs some radiation and warms up but some heat is radiated from the earth as long wave infrared radiation
some of this infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
atmosphere warms up leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming

23
Q

which human activities increase methane

A

raising livestock eg cows - more waste produced
decay of organic waste in landfill sites

24
Q

which human activities increase carbon dioxide

A

driving
consuming electricity

25
Q

why is it difficult to predict climate change

A

it is hard to understand the earths climate as it is complex and there are many variables

26
Q

what is done because it is hard to understand climate change

A

simplified models
speculation
opinions presented in the media
that are based on only parts of the evidence

27
Q

what is a major cause of climate change

A

an increase in global temperature

28
Q

what are the potential effects of global climate change

A

extinction of species
rising sea levels due to melting polar ice caps
migration as people move from areas suffering drought/flooding
decrease in crop yield for all major world crops

29
Q

when does global warming happen

A

when the greenhouse effect is enhanced as more thermal radiation is absorbed and radiated back to earth

30
Q

what is carbon footprint

A

the total amount of co2 and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event

31
Q

which chemicals need to be reduced to reduce carbon footprint

A

reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane

32
Q

which activities can reduce carbon footprint

A

using less electricity so using less fossil fuels
using an alternative source of electricity
reducing amount of travel or transportation of goods or people
planting more trees

33
Q

why might carbon footprint reduction action be limited

A

its more difficult
can be more expensive
planting trees takes away land that could be used to grow crops

34
Q

what is the combustion of fuels a source of

A

atmospheric pollutants

35
Q

what do most fuels contain

A

carbon
and or hydrogen
maybe sulfur

36
Q

which gases can be released into the atmosphere when a fuel burns

A

carbon dioxide
water vapour
carbon monoxide
oxides of nitrogen

37
Q

what products other than these gases may be released when a fuel burns

A

solid particles
unburned hydrocarbons
which form particulates

38
Q

which gases are released in incomplete combustion

A

soot (carbon)
carbon monoxide
unburnt fuel

39
Q

what does the combustion of hydrocarbons release

A

energy

40
Q

what happens to carbon and hydrogen in fuels during combustion

A

oxidised to form carbon dioxide and water

41
Q

features of carbon monoxide

A

toxic colourless gas
odourless
not easy to detect

42
Q

features of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen

A

cause acid rain
cause respiratory problems in humans

43
Q

features if particulates

A

cause global dimming
human health problems

Chemistry (36 decks)

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