Topic 9 - Chemistry of the Atmosphere Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
Phase 1 - Volcanoes?
A
- first billion years of earths history - covered in volcanoes - erupted and released lots of gases - how early atmosphere was made
- released nitrogen - built up atmopshere over time, as well as water vapour - small amounts of ammonia/methane
2
Q
Phase 2? Oceans, algae and green plants
A
- water vapour in atmosphere condensed - formed oceans
- lots of CO2 removed from early atmosphere- dissolved in oceans
- green plants and algae evolved - absorbed some of the CO2 for photosynthesis
- later marine animals evolved - shells and skeletons contained carbonates from oceans
3
Q
Phase 3? Green plants and algae produce oxygen
A
- green plants and algae produced oxygen by photosynthesis
- as oxygen levels built up in atmospshere over time - more compelx life evolved
4
Q
How was carbon dioxide produced in the Earth’s early atmosphere?
A
- volcanoes released large amounts of carbon dioxide
- carbon in magma and volcanic gases reacted with oxygen to form CO₂
5
Q
What are crude oil, coal and limestone made up of?
A
- crude oil and natural gas formed from deposits of plankton
- coal is a sedimentary rock - made from thick plant deposits
- limestone also sedimentary rock - made of calcium carbonate deposits from shells + skeletons of marine organisms
6
Q
Consequences of climate change?
A
- polar ice caps melting
- rise in sea levels
-changes to rainfall patterns
7
Q
Ways of reducing carbon footprints?
A
- renewable energy sources or nuclear energy used instead of fossil fuels
- government could tax companies or individuals based on amount of GHG they emit
- government could put cap on emissions of all GHGs companies make
8
Q
Reasons why making reductions is difficult?
A
- governments worried that making changes will impact economic growth
- still a lot of work to be done on alternative tech that result in lower CO2 emissions
9
Q
Under what conditions do particulates and carbon monoxide form?
A
- incomplete combustion
- solid particles called particulates of soot and unb unburnt fuel are released
- carbon monoxide can also be produced
10
Q
What problems do particulates in the air cause?
A
- if inhaled - stuck in lungs and cause damage - respiratory problems
- bad for environment - reflect sunlight back into space - less light reaches earth - global dimming
11
Q
How is carbon monoxide dangerous?
A
- stops blood from carrying oxygen around body
- binds to haemoglobin in blood so less oxygen able to be transported around body
- can result in death
12
Q
How is sulfur dioxide released?
A
- released during combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities
- sulfur in fuel becomes oxidised
13
Q
How are nitrous oxides created?
A
created from reaction between nitrogen and oxygen in air caused by heat of burning
14
Q
What happens when nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxides mix with clouds?
A
- form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid
- falls as acid rain
- acid rain kills plants and damages buildings - makes metal corrode
