C9 - chemistry of the atmosphere

• What is the first phase of the atmosphere's evolution?

  Volcanoes gave out gases
• What did oceans, algae, and green plants absorb during the atmosphere's evolution?

  Carbon dioxide
• What did green plants and algae produce during the atmosphere's evolution?

  Oxygen
• Why is it important to describe how sedimentary rocks are formed?

  It helps understand geological processes
• What is a greenhouse gas mentioned in the study material?

  Carbon dioxide
• How is increasing carbon dioxide linked to climate change?

  It traps heat in the atmosphere
• What could be a dangerous consequence of climate change?

  Extreme weather events
• What are the ways to reduce carbon footprints?

  • Use renewable energy sources
  • Improve energy efficiency
  • Reduce waste and recycle
  • Use public transport or carpool
• What is a challenge in making reductions to carbon footprints?

  Economic impacts on communities
• Why is it hard to get individuals to change their lifestyles?

  Lack of education on necessary changes
• What is a potential pollutant from incomplete combustion?

  Carbon monoxide
• What is a dangerous effect of carbon monoxide?

  It stops blood from carrying oxygen
• Why is carbon monoxide particularly dangerous?

  It is colorless and odorless
• What gas is released during the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur?

  Sulfur dioxide
• How are nitrogen oxides created?

  From a reaction between nitrogen and oxygen
• What happens when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with clouds?

  They form dilute sulfuric or nitric acid
• What is the effect of acid rain on the environment?

  It kills plants and damages buildings
• What health problems can sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause?

  Respiratory problems when inhaled
• Name a pollutant released from incomplete combustion.

  Carbon monoxide
• Name a pollutant not released from complete combustion.

  Carbon monoxide
• What is one pollutant released from complete combustion?

  Carbon dioxide
• What is another pollutant released from complete combustion?

  Water vapor
• What has changed over the course of Earth's history regarding atmospheric chemistry?

  The composition of gases in the atmosphere
• Why do we need to extrapolate to understand past atmospheric conditions?

  Records only go so far in history
• What is a limitation of historical science according to the text?

  It can't be tested, leading to guesses
• What gases were likely abundant in the early atmosphere?

  Nitrogen and carbon dioxide
• How did carbon dioxide likely dissolve in the oceans?

  From water vapor condensing from volcanoes
• What could have trapped carbon dioxide in sediment rocks and fossil fuels?

  Biological processes of algae and plants
• What percentage of carbon dioxide is currently in the atmosphere?

  0.018%
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Water vapor, CO2, and methane keep Earth warm
• What has happened to CO2 levels since the Industrial Revolution?


  They have increased significantly
• What percentage of the greenhouse effect is caused by water vapor?

  95%
• What does the AQA specification say about modeling complex systems?

  It's incredibly hard to model them accurately
• When did the term "carbon footprint" enter the mainstream?

  In the mid-2000s
• What is the idea behind reducing one's carbon footprint?

  To minimize carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere
• How can individuals offset their carbon footprint?

  By planting trees, for example
• What is carbon monoxide classified as?

  An atmospheric pollutant
• Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

  It binds to red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport
• What is a characteristic of carbon monoxide?

  It is odorless and colorless
• What does burning fossil fuels release?

  Sulfur dioxide, causing acid rain