C9 Chemistry of the Atmosphere

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How much nitrogen is in the atmosphere?
78%
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How much oxygen is in the atmosphere?
21%
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What other gases are found in the atmosphere?
carbon dioxide, water vapour and noble gases.
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Why is evidence for the early atmosphere limited?
time scale of 4.6 billion years when humans did not exist
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What does the volcano theory suggest?
Intense volcanic activity that released gases that formed the early atmosphere and water vapour that condensed to form oceans. The Earth's atmosphere would have been similar to Mars and Venus today.
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What is Mars and Venus' atmospheres like?
Mainly carbon dioxide and little to no oxygen
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What do volcanoes also produce?
Nitrogen, and small proportions of methane and ammonia.
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What happened to the carbon dioxide when oceans formed?
Dissolved in water and carbonates were precipitated producing sediments, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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How did oxygen levels increase?
Algae and plants producing oxygen through photosynthesis.
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What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + Water --> Glucose + Oxygen
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What is the balanced formula equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
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when did algae first produce oxygen?
2.7 billion years ago
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How did carbon dioxide decrease?
Through photosynthesis and formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels which contain carbon.
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What are the three main greenhouse gases?
Water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane.
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What do the greenhouse gases do?
Maintain temperatures on Earth high enough to support life.
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What are examples of human activity which increase levels of carbon dioxide and methane?
burning fossil fuels, deforestation.
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What is peer-reviewed evidence?
reviewed by scholars who are experts in the related academic or professional fields before it was published.
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What issues can arise from the model of global climate change?
simplified models, speculation and opinions presented in the media that may be based only on parts of evidence and can be biased.
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What a cause in global climate change?
An increase in average global temperature is a major cause.
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What are some effects of climate change?
Extreme weather, ice caps melting, flooding, habitat destruction, wildfires, death of plant and animal life, drought.
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What is a carbon footprint?
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.
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How can carbon footprint be reduced?
Reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.
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What is a major source of atmospheric pollutants?
Combustion of fuels.
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What do fuels contain?
carbon, hydrogen and maybe sulfur.
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What gases are released into the atmosphere?
Carbon Dioxide, water vapour, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen.
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What else could be released into the atmosphere which forms particulates?
Solid particles and unburned hydrocarbons.
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How is sulfur dioxide formed?
Through sulfur found in fuels reacting with oxygen in the air.
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What can sulfur dioxide contribute to?
Acid rain and respiratory issues in humans.
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How does nitrogen oxide form?
Nitrogen and oxygen react under high temperature in engines
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What can some nitrogen oxides form?
Acid rain and respiratory issues in humans.
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How does carbon monoxide form?
Through incomplete combustion of fuels.
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How do particulates form?
Unburnt hydrocarbons
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What do particulates do?
Global dimming and health problems for humans.
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What is carbon monoxide?
A toxic gas, colourless and odourless and is not easily detected.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How much oxygen is in the atmosphere?

Back

21%

Card 3

Front

What other gases are found in the atmosphere?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why is evidence for the early atmosphere limited?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does the volcano theory suggest?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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