The Earth's Atmosphere and Resources Flashcards
(38 cards)
What was the likely cause of the formation of the Earth’s atmosphere
Volcanic activity
What was the main gas in the atmosphere in the early Earth
Carbon dioxide
What four gases were in the earth’s atmosphere
Nitrogen
Water vapour
Ammonia
Methane
Carbon dioxide
Why did the oxygen levels rise
As plants evolved, they made their own food by photosynthesis, so the levels of carbon dioxide decreases and the oxygen levels increased
What gas is the majority of the atmosphere made of today
Nitrogen
Why did the levels of ammonia and methane decrease
They reacted with the oxygen in the atmosphere
Name three greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Sulfur dioxide
What is carbon footprint
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over a service, product or event’s life cycle
How is sulfur dioxide formed
All fossil fuels contain sulfur impurities, when burned sulfur dioxide is formed
What can sulfur dioxide cause
Acid rain
How is carbon monoxide formed
Through incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous
It will replace the oxygen in the haemoglobin, which means that it starves the body of oxygen
How is nitrogen oxide formed
At high temperatures, nitrogen reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides (Nox)
What are particulates and how are they formed
Particulates, or soot, are small particles formed from incomplete combustion of large hydrocarbons e.g. diesel
What are the dangers of particulates
They can cause global dimming and can cause health issues, such as potentially causing cancer
What are the four stages of life cycle assessments
Extraction -> Manufacture -> Usage -> Disposal
What is the corrosion of iron called
Rusting
What is rusting
The reaction of iron with chemicals in the environment
What is the general reaction between iron and oxygen
Iron + water + oxygen -> hydrated iron (III) oxide
How can we prevent rust using physical barriers
Using paint, oil and plastic will help prevent rust
What is galvanising and sacrificial protection
A more reactive metal is placed on the iron via electroplating or dipping the iron in the molten metal.
The more reactive metal is sacrificed so the iron underneath will not rust
What is an alloy
A mixture of two metals
Why are alloys harder than pure metals
The different sizes in metal atoms means that the layers can not slide over each other, so they are harder to change
