Atmosphere - Facts
No description yet. This curated deck is ready for daily study.
Card preview (22)
Which planets is the Earth’s early atmosphere thought to be like?
Venus and Mars
Explain the change in carbon dioxide from the Earth’s early atmosphere to today
Decreased because * photosynthesis * formed fossil fuels * formed sedimentary rocks * dissolved in oceans
Explain the change in water from the Earth’s early atmosphere to today
Decreased becasue Earth cooled, water condensed, forming oceans Water vapour levels are influenced by temperature and climate conditions.
Explain the change in nitrogen from the Earth’s early atmosphere to today
Increased because released by volcanoes - inert so built up Photosynthetic organisms removed CO2 and converted it into organic matter.
Explain the change in oxygen from the Earth’s early atmosphere to today
Increased because Plants and algae evolved, and released oxygen by photosynthesis As the planet cooled, water vapour condensed and formed oceans.
State the % of nitrogen in the modern atmosphere
Around 80% Nitrogen became the dominant gas as other gases decreased.
State the % of oxygen in the modern atmosphere
Around 20% This increase is primarily due to photosynthesis.
What other gases were present in trace quantities in both the early and modern atmosphere?
• Methane • Ammonia
Which gas might have been important in abiogenesis?
Ammonia
Describe how crude oil formed.
• Plankton died • burried under sediment • high heat and pressure • for millions of years Same process as for natural gas
Describe how coal formed.
• Trees died • burried (in swamps, low pH and anaerobic conditions stopped decay) • high heat and pressure • for millions of years
Why is the greenhouse effect essential for life on Earth?
Keeps the temperature warm enough for liquid water
Describe how the greenhouse effect works.
• Short wavelenght radiation from the sun • Travels through the atmosphere (doesn’t interact with gas molecules) • Absorbed by the land and reemitted as long wavelength radiation • Long wavelength radiation absorbed by greenhouses gases • They vibrate faster and heat the atmosphere
How are human activities increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations?
• Burning fossil fuels • Deforestation
How are human activities increasing atmospheric methane concentrations?
• Cattle Farming • Rice paddies
Give 3 consequences of climate change.
• Rising sea levels • Increased frequency of extreme weather events • Altered ecosystems and biodiversity loss
How do we know how humans contribute to climate change?
Peer reviewed studies
Describe how carbon monoxide is produced and why it is a problem.
Produced from incomplete combustion Toxic
Describe how carbon particulates are produced and why they are a problem.
Produced from incomplete combustion Global dimming
Describe how sulfur dioxide is produced and why it is a problem.
Produced from burning fossil fuels containing sulfur Aicd rain and respiratory problems More common in coal but also in oil
Describe how NOx is produced and why it is a problem.
Produced in the high temperatures and pressure of car engines when nitrogen in the atmosphere reacts with oxygen Acid rain and respiratory problems
How can pollution be reduced
• New laws • New technology (more efficient engines) • life style changes (Cycling, vegetarian diets)