the earth's atmosphere Flashcards
(19 cards)
when do scientists think the earth was formed?
4.6 billion years ago
what was released from volcanos and formed the earths atmosphere? (4)
water vapour
H2O
nitrogen
CO2
what happened to the water vapour in the atmosphere as it gradually cooled down?
it condensed and turned into water
what was the most abundant gas in the atmosphere as the earth stabilised?
carbon dioxide
what was the early atmosphere begun by and why?
bacteria- didn’t need oxygen
what is the percent of nitrogen in the earth’s atmosphere?
78%
what is the percent of oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere?
21%
what is the percent of argon in the earth’s atmosphere?
0.9%
what is the percent of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere?
0.04%
what was the early earth formed by?
debris orbiting the sun
how is the earth warmed?
the sun emits short wavelength radiation
how does the earth lose heat?
by re-emitting long wavelength radiation (some of this is absorbed by greenhouse gases)
what effect does deforestation have on the earth?
reduces the amount of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis
how is methane produced? (2)
cattle
the decay of waste in landfill by microorganisms
what is carbon monoxide?
a highly toxic gas that has no taste or smell
methane (equation)
methane + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water
propane (equation)
propane + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water
fossil fuels (equation)
fossil fuels + oxygen = carbon monoxide + carbon + water
how is acid rain caused?
when sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere they mix with water in the clouds to form sulfuric acid
