topic 9- chemistry of the atmosphere Flashcards
(26 cards)
what is the percentages of the earths gases now
80% nitrogen
20% oxygen
>1% other gases
what was the early atmosphere like and why
lots of carbon dioxide mainly
+ water vapour and nitrogen
volcanic activity caused carbon dioxide
early atmosphere is like the current atmosphere of Mars and Venus
how was carbon dioxide decreased
Carbon sinks
Water vapour condensed into ocean allowing carbon dioxide to dissolve
Photosynthesis
Algae and plants performing photosynthesis and absorbing carbon dioxide for it
Locked up Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide getting trapped in fossil fuels and rocks that formed as organisms were compressed by sediment
how are crude oil and natural gas formed
from dead plankton
what are the three greenhouse gases
methane
water vapour
carbon dioxide
what is the greenhouse effect
short wave length radiation is emitted from the sun
earth re emits it back as long wavelength radiation
earth absorbs some and re radiates it in all directions
some goes to space and some is directed to the earth with warms it up
is the enhanced greenhouse effect bad
yes
what human activities contribute to climate change
deforestation- less co2 being removed from the atmosphere
farm animals - produce methane during digestion
burning fossil fuels- release CO2
decomposition of landfill- releases methane and co2
what are the consequences of climate change
ice caps melting
sea levels rise
flooding
more extreme weather events
- destruction of habitats
- animals endangered
- biodiversity decreases
why is it hard for scientists to make models of climate change
it’s complex and have a lot of factors to take into account
what’s a carbon footprint
total amount of CO2 ( and other gases) emmittted over something’s full life cycle
what are the benefits of carbon footprint
discover how damaging things are to the environment
identify polluting activities so we can reduce
what’s the problem with measuring carbon footprint
it’s hard
what are some ways to reduce emissions
renewable energy sources (wind , solar)
more efficient manufacturing processes- use less energy therefore less waste
Government creating new laws and taxing companies
Carbon capture
What are some problems with reducing emissions
Renewable energy is expensive
Government doesn’t want economy to decline
International agreements are hard as no country wants their economy to collapse
what does complete combustion produce
hydrocarbon + plenty of oxygen —> carbon dioxide and water
what does incomplete combustion produce
hydrocarbon + insufficient oxygen —> carbon monoxide or particulates (soot) + water
what is the formation and effects of carbon monoxide, soot, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
carbon monoxide- incomplete combustion
effects = binds to haemoglobin and stops blood from flowing (can be fatal)
soot- incomplete combustion, causes global dimming and respiratory illnesses
sulfur dioxide- combustion - oxidation of sulfur impurities, causes acid rain and damage to environment + statues
oxides of nitrogen- reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in car engines, causes acid rain damage to habitats and statues
how does carbon monoxide damage you
binds with haemoglobin
takes over oxygen
oxygen cannot reach cells to respire
can be fatal or cause fainting
why is carbon monoxide hard to detect
it’s colourless
it’s odorless
why are burning sulfur impurities bad
produces sulfur dioxide
produces acid rain
why do oxides of nitrogen form o
Nitrogen and oxygen reacting at high temperatures in car engines
what are ways carbon monoxide is produced
portable heaters
gas and wood fires
BBQ equipment indoors
What’s global dimming and what causes it
amount of solar energy reaching the earth gradually falling
particulates from incomplete combustion causes it to
