Evolution/Composition of the Atmosphere Flashcards
(15 cards)
how are greenhouse gases increased?
human activity, landfill sites, burning fossil fuels, deforestation
what is carbon footprint?
the amount of greenhouse gases released over a full cycle of something
is it easy to measure carbon footprint?
NO
why is it difficult to reduce carbon footprint?
people don’t want to change their lifestyles, governments aren’t prepared to make radical changes, don’t want to disrupt the economy, alternative processes and technologies need more work
what are the consequences of climate change?
storms become more frequent and extreme (change in rainfall patterns), food production is altered by changes in rainfall and temperature, melting ice caps so higher sea levels and increased flooding
which planets is the early atmosphere of Earth similar to?
venus and mars (mainly co2)
what did co2 produce when it dissolved into the oceans?
sediments
formed carbonates
what did the increase in oxygen allow?
evolution of plants and animals
why is carbon an issue?
causes respiratory problems if breathed in
global dimming (reflect sunlight back into space)
what does incomplete combustion produce?
carbon particulates, carbon monoxide, water and carbon dioxide
what does acid rain do?
kills plants, destroys habitats and damages buildings and structures
how are oxides of nitrogen formed?
react in the air in high temperatures which are caused by the burning of fossil fuels
what are greenhouse gases?
gases which ensure the temperature of Earth is high enough to support life
what are long wavelengths?
reflected back by the Earth (thermal radiation)
where does short wavelength radiation come from?
the sun
