Chemistry of the Atmosphere

Question 1

how much of our atmosphere is made from argon

Answer 1

0.9%

Question 2

how much of our atmosphere is nitrogen

Answer 2

78%

Question 3

how much of our atmosphere is oxygen

Answer 3

21%

Question 4

how much of our atmosphere is other gases

Answer 4

0.1%

Question 5

what does sulphur dioxide cause

Answer 5

acid rain

Question 6

what does carbon monoxide cause

Answer 6

stops blood carrying oxygen

Question 7

what does nitrogen oxide cause

Answer 7

acid rain and raspatory problems

Question 8

what do particulates cause

Answer 8

global dimming and health problems

Question 9

how is co2 and so2 produced

Answer 9

combustion of fuels

Question 10

how is carbon monoxide produced

Answer 10

inefficient combustion

Question 11

how is carbon produced

Answer 11

inefficient burning

Question 12

how is nitrogen oxide produced

Answer 12

oxygen in high temps reacting with unreacted nitrogen gas

Question 13

in the earths early atmosphere, what gasses were most present

Answer 13

co2 and water vapour

Question 14

what other gases did volcanoes produce to make up the rest of the atmosphere

Answer 14

nitrogen methane ammonia

Question 15

how were oceans formed

Answer 15

water vapour condensed to form oceans

Question 16

how was co2 removed from the atmosphere

Answer 16

co2 dissolved in the water forming carbonates. these were insoluble and sank to the bottom of the ocean

Question 17

how did oxygen levels increase and co2 levels decrease

Answer 17

photosynthesis

Question 18

how are fossil fuels made

Answer 18

animals die and their remains get crushed and heated into fossil fuels

Question 19

which organisms first carried out photosynthesis

Answer 19

bacteria and algae

Question 20

how do greenhouse gasses warm up the earth

Answer 20

absorb the suns energy and radiate it back towards the earths surface

Question 21

how much uv radiation is reflected back into space

Answer 21

1/3

Question 22

what length wave radiation warms the earths surface initially?

Answer 22

short

Question 23

the earth reemits radiation at a ______ wavelength

Answer 23

longer

Question 24

what happens to the longer radiation

Answer 24

absorbed by ghgs in atmosphere

Question 25

long wave radiation is then re emitted towards the earth, keeping it warm. what is this called

Answer 25

greenhouse effect

Question 26

what are 2 ways the amount of co2 has increased

Answer 26

burning fossil fuels deforestation

Question 27

what are 2 ways the amount of methane has increased

Answer 27

agriculture landfill

Question 28

when did the global temp begin to increase rapidly

Answer 28

1900

Question 29

give 4 effects of global warming

Answer 29

more severe droughts heavier rain seasons higher average global temp coastal flooding extinction of species disrupted food and water supplies rapid change to global environment rising sea levels more frequent and severe storms

Question 30

what is carbon footprint

Answer 30

the amount of co2 released into the atmosphere during a products life cycle

Question 31

give 2 ways to reduce carbon footprint

Answer 31

carbon capture and storage less meat consumption encourage biofuel use improve building insulation offset carbon emissions

Question 32

what is a problem with reducing carbon footprint

Answer 32

misinformation about co2 emissions higher costs lack of international cooperation