C9- atmosphere

• How has the composition of gases in the atmosphere changed?

  It has changed over Earth's history
• Why do we need to extrapolate atmospheric gas composition?

  Because historical records are limited
• What was likely the primary gas in the early atmosphere?

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

  From water vapor condensing from volcanoes
• What can trap carbon dioxide in sediment rocks?

  Fossil fuels
• What process do algae and plants use to reduce CO2 levels?

  Photosynthesis
• What is the current level of CO2 in the atmosphere?

  0.018%
• What gases absorb longer wavelength radiation to keep Earth warm?

  Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  It keeps the Earth warm by trapping heat
• How have CO2 levels changed since the Industrial Revolution?

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

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

  It's incredibly hard to model them
• What has been the trend of IPCC models over the last 20 years?

  They have been wildly incorrect
• What was the public reaction to the term "carbon footprint" in the mid-2000s?

  People became very concerned about it
• What is one way to offset carbon dioxide emissions?

  By planting trees
• What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?

  It binds to red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport
• Why is carbon monoxide hard to detect?

  It is odorless and colorless
• What is a common pollutant released from burning fossil fuels?

  Sulfur dioxide
• What environmental issue does sulfur dioxide cause?

  Acid rain
• What health problems can nitrogen oxides cause?

  Breathing problems
• What is particulate carbon made from?

  Incomplete combustion
• What health issues can particulate carbon cause?

  Various health issues